10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and Farms is administered in collaboration between the Michigan Department of Education, MDARD, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, and MSU Center for Regional Food Systems. Below you can learn more about each organization's roles and key contacts.
Michigan Department of Education; Program Implementation
Wendy Crowley - [email protected]
Wendy is the Farm to Program Consultant at Michigan Department of Education (MDE). Her background includes hotel and restaurant operations and Small Business Development Centers support. At MDE, she has supported claims and systems development for all of Michigan’s child nutrition programs.
She is the lead contact for grantees for help with applications, invoice submission, reimbursement payments, and general information on 10 Cents a Meal operations.
Cheyenne Liberti - [email protected]
Cheyenne is a Farm to Program Consultant at Michigan Department of Education (MDE). She has a background in public health, ecology, and data management, and has worked at MDE since 2021 to support the Coordinated Application, the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and Farm to Program initiatives. She is the lead contact for food program sponsors who need support with finding vendors that can provide Michigan-grown produce, and for vendors who want to sell Michigan-grown produce to food program sponsors. She can also provide technical assistance to 10 Cents a Meal grantees on program requirements, including application and invoice submission procedures.
Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities; Communications and Outreach Partner
Groundwork leads communications for the program including managing this website, social media, press releases, storytelling, hosting 10 Cents a Meal Network meetings, and outreach with grantees and stakeholders.
Amanda Brezzell - [email protected]
Amanda is a Community Resilience Expert and the Policy & Engagement Specialist for Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities. Her background is in Agricultural Defense as it relates to sustainable agriculture and building resilient community food systems. She has been involved in policy initiatives at both the grassroots and national levels for a decade, advocating for Urban Farmers and community food security. Amanda is an Urban Farmer, using climate informed practices to grow sustainably. She is here to connect with farms, schools, and legislators alike to keep the community informed about 10 Cents a meal, and can answer your questions about 10 Cents a meal outreach and engagement.
Melanie Wong - [email protected]
Melanie is a Registered Dietitian and the Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) Specialist at Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities. Melanie has a background in sustainable agriculture and food systems and has previously worked with child care providers on the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for one of the largest CACFP sponsors where she managed nutrition communications and training. She is the lead contact for any ECE grantees or prospective grantees who have questions or need assistance with 10 Cents a Meal, can assist with any general inquiries about the program, nutrition education related questions, and general grantee support.
Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems; Evaluation Partner
The Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) is the evaluation partner for 10 Cents a Meal. CRFS staff gather and analyze data to understand the program’s effectiveness and how it can be improved. They communicate about how 10 Cents works and its impacts through reports, presentations, and trainings.
Megan McManus - [email protected]
Megan is the Farm to Institution Fellow at MSU Center for Regional Food Systems. Megan has a background in urban food systems and sustainable agriculture and has worked with beginning specialty crop farmers through a training program that helped them reach wholesale markets. She coordinates and is the lead contact for 10 Cents evaluation activities, including surveys. Megan can also assist with local food sourcing questions and connections.
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; Agriculture Partner
Lori Yelton - [email protected]
Lori is a Nutrition Food Management Consultant with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Lori has been with the department for ten years and functions as the department’s specialist for statewide agriculture programs. She is responsible for supporting Farm to Early Childcare Education and Farm to School efforts with an emphasis on fresh, safe locally sourced foods for snacks and meals. She helps facilitate projects that enable students, farmers-processors, and school food service staff to learn about local agriculture, procurement, nutrition, and food safety. She can assist with any general questions about the program, nutrition education, and food safety.