Michigan Farm to ECE Network

How To Guides

• Farm to ECE Local Food Purchasing Guide from North Carolina State Extension
• Local Purchasing for Family Child Care Providers from National Farm to School Network (available in English and Spanish)
• Local Procurement for Child Care Centers from National Farm to School Network (available in English and Spanish)
• Farm to Early Childhood Programs: A Step-By-Step Guide from MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
• Local Food for Little Eaters: A Purchasing Toolbox for the Child and Adult Care Food Program from MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
• Local Food for Little Eaters: A Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Guide to Local Food Purchasing from MSU Center for Regional Food Systems (available in English and Spanish)
• Community Support Agriculture (CSA) and Your ECE Program from Rooted Wisconsin

Federal Regulations

• Sourcing Local Foods: Understanding Procurement Rules and Regulations Webinar from MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
• Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Meal Pattern Training Toolkit from USDA Food and Nutrition Service
• Procurement Guidance Manual from USDA and Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
• Federal Procurement Rules and Resources from USDA Food and Nutrition Service

Food Safety

• Food Safety from Farm and Garden to Preschool Training Program from National Farm to School Network
• Eat What You Grow: A Food Safety Garden Manual from National Farm to School Network
• Food Safety Resources from North Carolina (Cuyahoga County Board of Health)
  • How to Wash Produce
  • The Flow of Food: Guidelines for Food Preparation
  • Taste Testing
  • Composting
  • Farm to School Guide

Where to Source Local Food

• Increasing the Capacity of a Local Food Hub to Service School District Nutrition Programs from Iowa State University Extension
• Local Harvest can help you find farms, farmers markets, and CSAs in your area.
• Taste the Local Difference offers a searchable digital directory to farms, farmers markets, and other food businesses throughout Michigan. 

Seasonal Menus

• Michigan Guide to What's in Season Now from MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
• Seasonal Cycle Menus from North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
• Iowa Farm to Preschool Cycle Menu from Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative
• Celebrating Seasonality: Wisconsin-Grown Recipes for the Early Childhood Setting from Rooted