News

Increased Local Food Sales to Schools and the Value of Grant Investment: Findings from the 2025 National Food Hub Survey

Published on October 21, 2025
Showcasing experiences from the 2024 calendar year, the initial findings from the 2025 National Food Hub Survey highlight increased sales to schools, as well as a high dependence on grant funding.
The Impact of 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids and Farms

Published on October 21, 2025
The unfunding of 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and Farms is a blow to Michigan’s food system that reduces the financial ability of grantees to serve local produce to children, and will shrink a significant market opportunity for farmers.
Michigan Farm to School Spotlight: Ferndale Upper Elementary Farmers Market

Published on October 21, 2025
A local fifth grader reports out on the first ever pop-up farmers market held on September 30, 2025 at the Ferndale Upper Elementary School.
Now Open for Applications! Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub Spark and Innovation Collaboration Awards

Published on October 17, 2025
The Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub supports people working to improve school meals across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Two grant opportunities are available for up to $200,000 per year. Apply by January 23, 2026.
Michigan Awarded Two Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub Grants

Published on July 15, 2024
Michigan organizations to receive awards from the Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation hub to build more local, more nourishing, and more loving school food systems in Michigan.
Michigan child nutrition programs farm to school efforts recognized by Vilsack and Stabenow in recent events

Published on May 28, 2024
Michigan farm to school programs were highlighted at recent events with USDA Secretary Vilsack, Senator Stabenow, and other policymakers.
2024 Michigan Family Farms Conference Brings Farmers Together

Published on April 16, 2024
Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS) convened over 300 farmers, producers, and representatives from food systems organizations at their 20th annual Michigan Family Farms Conference at Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC).
The Lake Michigan School Food Systems Innovation Hub is Coming Soon

Published on November 27, 2023
The Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub is a USDA-funded grant-making initiative that reimagines students’ meals.
Deadline extended: Seeking Director of Farm to Institution Programs

Published on October 25, 2023
We're hiring for an outreach specialist position that will provide overall direction and coordinate outreach, education, research, and evaluation activities for existing and future farm to institution efforts at MSU Center for Regional Food Systems.
Community partnership results in “Shared Abundance”

Published on July 13, 2023
Northwest Lower Michigan has developed into a thriving food system—the book “Shared Abundance” details the community partnerships that made it happen.
School Food System Innovation Hub to Bring Innovative Supply Chain Solutions to the Lake Michigan Region

Published on March 29, 2023
MSU CRFS will serve as the state lead for the Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub which will improve access to nutritious, locally grown food in the Great lakes region, along with partners in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Northern Indiana.
Call for nominations for the MFIN advisory committee

Published on January 23, 2023
For the 2023 calendar year, MFIN seeks nominations for Michigan-based advisory committee members to represent institutional food programs and local and regional supply chains.
Join the Michigan CSA Network Listserv

Published on November 17, 2022
Listserv will connect network of CSA farmers and support organizations.
MSU Extension seeking childcare providers to participate in innovative CSA, nutrition program

Published on November 3, 2022
By connecting caregivers to community farmers, Growing Healthy Eaters will increase access to local produce, educate providers about nutrition and teach children about gardening and agriculture.
Meet the 2022 Michigan Grow More Award Recipients

Published on October 19, 2022
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the Michigan Grow More Award.
Making local food the norm for schools, early care and education sites, and other institutions

Published on April 27, 2022
A glimpse at some of the ways MSU Center for Regional Food Systems is connecting farmers, schools, ECE sites, and other institutions.
Learning and acting together for racial equity

Published on February 10, 2021
In our first-ever at a glance update, we are sharing highlights of how we and our partners are changing to work more equitably and inclusively.
10 Cents a Meal Grants Awarded to 138 Statewide Applicants

Published on January 21, 2021
138 Michigan schools, school districts, and early childhood centers serving over 406,000 children have been awarded grants from the 10 Cents a Meal program to improve daily nutrition and eating habits for children.
Reflecting on inspiration from 2020

Published on December 16, 2020
To our partners and supporters, thank you for all that you have done this year to advance a good food system in Michigan and nationally.
Healthy, Michigan-grown food for Michigan’s youngest eaters

Published on November 24, 2020
$90,900 grant will grow connections between early care and education providers and food producers.