The 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids and Farms (10 Cents a Meal) program continues to reach more children in schools, districts, and childcare sites across Michigan, with the 2021-2022 school year serving the largest number of participating grantees yet.Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) recently released the evaluation report to share evaluation findings from the 2021-2022 10 Cents a Meal program, which show that 10 Cents a Meal is making significant progress towards its two main goals to improve daily nutrition for children in school or childcare settings and to invest in the Michigan agriculture economy. During the 2021-2022 program, more children, farms and food business were reached than ever before. An estimated 570,504 K–12 schoolchildren and 15,696 children through early care and education sites could have benefited by the program. Additionally, grantees reported purchases from 222 different farms and food businesses. Continue reading

By Cheyenne Liberti, Farm to Program Consultant at the Michigan Department of Education Photos courtesy of Sarah Rypma   Food service professionals are blazing a trail in advancing child nutrition in Michigan. For the first time, Michigan will have a state-funded universal free meals program during the 2023-2024 School Year – Michigan School Meals. Public schools participating in the Michigan School Meals program will serve lunch and breakfast at no cost to students. This is a huge leap forward in expanding food security in Michigan. In 2021, 13.1% of children in the state were food insecure (1). Research has shown that programs like Michigan School Meals expand access to breakfast and lunch at school, and help families afford groceries (2). Both of these outcomes can help address food insecurity in our state and promote the health and well-being of all children. Continue reading

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2023 $9.3 Million available for 10 Cents a Meal Farm-to-School Grants: Application Now Open for 2023-24 Program Year Continue reading

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2023 10 Cents a Meal Funding of $9.3 Million Secured for FY ‘24 After weeks of negotiations, the Michigan Legislature passed the state budget prior to its July 1 deadline. The FY ‘24 budget totals $81.7 billion, which includes a general fund total of $15.2 billion and a historic investment into public education with the School Aid Fund total of $19.4 billion. The 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids & Farms program is funded within this year’s bipartisan education budget, and will receive $9.3 million for the program in FY ‘24. Since Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed the budget, this outline in funding is expected to take effect on October 1, 2023. Continue reading

By Amanda Brezzell  Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture  Free and reduced-price meals are served to kids every day across the country through programs such as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP). In Michigan, the state-funded 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids and Farms program amplifies that impact by providing financial incentives for including local, Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and dry beans in those meals.  Continue reading

The Michigan Department of Education has announced that it is accepting applications for 10 Cents A Meal for Michigan's Kids & Farms. This state-funded program matches what schools, early care and education settings, and other non-school sponsors spend on Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and dry beans with grants of up to 10 cents per meal. It is designed to improve daily nutrition and eating habits for Michigan children and invest in Michigan’s agriculture and local food business economy. Continue reading

Expanded Eligibility, Increased Impacts: 10 Cents a Meal 2020-2021 Evaluation Results Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) has just released their newest evaluation report for the 2020-2021 year of Michigan's local food incentive program, 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids and Farms (10 Cents). This report, Expanded Eligibility, Increased Impacts: 10 Cents a Meal 2020-2021 Evaluation Results, shares an inside look at 10 Cents to better understand its impact on Michigan kids, farms, and food service programs. Continue reading

Happy National Farm to School Month! We wanted to share an update on 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids & Farms, Michigan’s local food incentive program that provides schools, early care and education (ECE) centers, and other organizations participating in USDA Child Nutrition programs with match funding up to 10 cents a meal to purchase and serve Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and dry beans. 10 Cents a Meal is implemented by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). Continue reading

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 15, 2022 10 Cents a Meal Funding of $9.3 Million Secured for FY ‘23 Continue reading

Meeting its July 1st deadline, the legislature held a marathon session last week until the wee hours of the morning on Friday to move important budget bills closer to the finish line in preparation of FY ‘23. Included in the budget was continued funding for 10 Cents a Meal at $9.3 million, more than doubling last year’s appropriation! Continue reading