The State of Michigan has initiated a pilot project titled “10 Cents a Meal for School Kids & Farms”, which seeks to support Michigan farmers while improving children’s nutrition. The Department of Education is serving as lead for the project and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will provide support.
The project aims to provide schools with a match up to ten cents per meal to purchase Michigan fruits and vegetables, which should boost investment in Michigan agriculture and related local food business economy.
The project builds on a pilot of seven school districts in northwest Lower Michigan where 25 different fruits and vegetables from 36 different farms were served. The project is also measured on the success of a 142 percent average annual increase in spending on locally grown fruits and vegetables. Based on previous success demonstrated programs as such provide stable funding for schools to try new products and farms to plan for stable markets.
The timing is right for a Michigan pilot because new USDA “school meal nutrition” standards require more and a greater variety of fruits, vegetables, and legumes. School food service directors want to purchase more local fruits and vegetables, according to Michigan State University surveys. Michigan farmers are also interested in selling to school markets.
The pilot project is targeting participation from 86,000 students across three regions. The State’s budgeted allocation is $500,000 and approximately 85 percent of the budget will be for school purchasing of MI agricultural products.
Source: msue.anr.msu.edu
