Farmer Workshop: Bringing the Farm to Early Care and Education

April 21, 2023 - Mariel Borgman<mborgm@msu.edu>, Meagan Shedd<mshedd@msu.edu>, Lori Yelton, Melissa Lonsberry, Amanda Brezzell, John McCarthy, Garrett Ziegler<zieglerg@msu.edu>

There is significant untapped market potential for producers in Michigan to sell their products to early care and education (ECE) settings like preschools and child care settings. This half-day training was intended to help farm producers and growers in Michigan build their capacity to sell to ECE settings. The training, now recorded and uploaded here, offered practical tools and relevant information to farmers and processors to help plan and sell to nearby ECEs by providing information about:

  • ECE nutrition programs and demand for local produce and farm products, including the 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and farms program;
  • ECE solicitations, specifications, and requirements to help farmers and food producers market to ECEs;
  • food safety considerations, and;
  • action steps you can take to connect with ECEs on your own or through collaborative options.

Explore the recorded training segments and producer training resources:

Farmer Workshop: Bringing the Farm to Early Care and Education

Understanding your Buyer: An Overview of the Early Care and Education Market

Meagan Shedd, Assistant Professor in Early Care and Education in K-12 Settings

Learn about the different types of Early Childhood Education (ECE) Sites to understand their varying needs. 

 

The Basics of Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Melissa Lonsberry, Michigan Department of Education, Child and Adult Care Food program (CACFP)

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a USDA funded program, reimburses participating providers who serve eligible meals or snacks.

 

Understanding the 10 Cents a Meal Program

Amanda Brezzell, Ten Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and Farms Policy and Engagement Specialist at Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities

Across Michigan, Ten Cents a Meal provides financial incentives to ECEs and school districts offering improved meals while supporting Michigan farmers and strengthening local food systems.

 

Procurement for Early Care and Education (ECE)

Melissa Lonsberry, Michigan Department of Education, Child and Adult Care Food program 

This session explores how Childcare Centers or family daycare homes can obtain goods and services at the best possible prices. The difference between informal and formal purchasing is shared and what might be asked of the farmer or food producer by the ECE buyer as part of that process.

 

Food Safety for Early Care and Education (ECE)

Lori Yelton, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and Mariel Borgman, Michigan State University Extension 

Food safety is essential in early childcare. The first part of this session offers questions early care and education providers may ask of you so you can effectively share your food safety practices with them. The second explains different resources available to farmers and food producers who would like to source to early care and education providers to help them address food safety standards and regulations.

 

Marketing to Early Care and Education Sites 

Meagan Shedd, Assistant Professor in Farm to Early Care and Education in K-12 Settings 

Connecting with early care and education sites as a market is the focus of this session. For each challenge in marketing to ECE sites a benefit and a solution is offered as well as resources for marketing your farm to ECE sites who want to purchase from Michigan farmers.

 

Producer Training Resources 

10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids & Farms 

Michigan Farm to School 

Michigan Farm to Institution Network 

Cultivate Michigan  

MSU Extension Community Food Systems 

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development 

Michigan Department of Education 

USDA Farm to School 

National Farm to School Network 

Michigan On Farm Produce Safety 

Michigan Ag Council 

Michigan Food and Farming Systems 

Buying and selling farm products: 

Taste the Local Difference 

Market Maker Michigan 

Michigan Farm Fun Directory 

Michigan Farmers Market Association   

 

Authors

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Tag List
  • agriculture,
  • beginning farmer,
  • center for regional food systems,
  • community food systems,
  • farm to ece,
  • farm to institution,
  • food,
  • food & health,
  • food policy,
  • food safety,
  • fruit and nuts,
  • michigan farm to ece,
  • michigan farm to ece network,
  • msu extension,
  • organic vegetables,
  • vegetables,
  • michigan farm to institution network

Center for Regional Food Systems

Farm to Institution/School

Food System Infrastructure, Planning and Policy

Michigan Good Food

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