By: Amanda Brezzell  On the road that leads from the farm to the tray, we encounter many folks along the way who contribute to feeding our kids. Who’s Feeding Our Kids is a series where we explore different people and organizations within the food system who are working to feed our kids and support the 10 Cents a Meal program. These are some of their stories. This story features Elissa Penczar, Chef Instructor for Muskegon area Intermediate School District and Dan Gorman, Food Service Director for Montague Area Public Schools and North Muskegon Public Schools. With funding from the PLANTS Grant, Dan and Elissa have teamed up to create a sustainable farm to school network that includes a processing kitchen and food hub in the Muskegon Area. Students preparing food as a part of their Hospitality & Food Management curriculum through the Career Tech Center. Photo Credit: Career Tech Center Continue reading

By: Melanie Tran  On the road that leads from the farm to the tray, we encounter many folks along the way who contribute to feeding our kids. Who’s Feeding Our Kids is a series where we explore different people and organizations within the food system who are working to feed our kids and support the 10 Cents a Meal program. These are some of their stories. This story features Ann Arbor Public Schools and Argus Farm Stop.  Difficulties with sourcing Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables is a common challenge for 10 Cents a Meal grantees, especially if they are new to the program or just getting started. For food program managers, it can feel like there isn’t enough time in the day to find Michigan-grown food to serve. For this reason, starting small is recommended— for example, starting with one product that is already being served, like salad greens, and then finding a local source for them. Photo above: Sliced, Michigan apples being packaged at Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s food hub, ValleyHUB. Photo credit: Sarah Rypma Continue reading

By: Amanda Brezzell  On the road that leads from the farm to the tray, we encounter many folks along the way who contribute to feeding our kids. Who’s Feeding Our Kids is a series where we explore different people and organizations within the food system who are working to feed our kids and support the 10 Cents a Meal program. These are some of their stories. This story features Mark Rodriguez, Food Service Director for Lincoln Park, Southgate & Wyandotte Public Schools. The main focus for this story will be the work being done in Lincoln Park Public Schools. Lettuce growing in a hydroponic system. Photo credit: Sarah Rypma Continue reading

By: Amanda Brezzell  On the road that leads from the farm to the tray, we encounter many folks along the way who contribute to feeding our kids. Who’s Feeding Our Kids is a series where we explore different people and organizations along the food system who are working to feed our kids and support the 10 Cents a Meal program. These are some of their stories. This story features Mary Rose Vanas, Food Service Director for Shelby Public Schools and Joshua (Josh) Reames, Director of Dining Services for Gull Lake Community Schools.   Photo by Sarah Rypma Continue reading

By: Amanda Brezzell  On the road that leads from the farm to the tray, we encounter many folks along the way who contribute to feeding our kids. Who’s Feeding Our Kids is a series where we explore different people and organizations along the food system who are working to feed our kids, and support the 10 Cents a Meal Program. These are some of their stories. This story features: Allison Stawara and Danielle Sidor of Partridge Creek Farm, located in Ishpeming, MI Kyle A. Mitchell of Mitchell’s Patch of Blue, located in Bangor, MI  Mark Kastner of Hillcrest Farms, located in in Eaton Rapids, MI      Photo by Sarah Rypma: Mark K., Hillcrest Farms Continue reading

By: Melanie Tran  On the road that leads from the farm to the tray, we encounter many folks along the way who contribute to feeding our kids. Who’s Feeding Our Kids is a series where we explore different people and organizations along the food system who are working to feed our kids, and support the 10 Cents a Meal Program. These are some of their stories. This story features the Association for Child Development, a Child and Adult Care Food Program Sponsor, and Nicole Coddington, a child care provider who participated in 10 Cents a Meal through the Association for Child Development. Continue reading

By: Amanda Brezzell  On the road that leads from the farm to the tray, we encounter many folks along the way who contribute to feeding our kids. Who’s Feeding Our Kids is a series where we explore different people and organizations along the food system who are working to feed our kids, and support the 10 Cents a Meal Program. These are some of their stories. This story features Gabrielle (Gabe) Trader, Food Director for Superior Central Schools. The Superior Central School District is located in the Upper Peninsula. Continue reading

By: Amanda Brezzell  On the road that leads from the farm to the tray, we encounter many folks along the way who contribute to feeding our kids. Who’s Feeding Our Kids is a series where we explore different people and organizations along the food system who are working to feed our kids, and support the 10 Cents a Meal Program. These are some of their stories. This story features FoodCorps Food Education Service Members Cassidy Hough and Crystal Schober, and explores their adventures in educating our youngest eaters about their food and where it comes from. Photo by Sarah Rypma Continue reading

By: Amanda Brezzell On the road that leads from the farm to the tray, we encounter many folks along the way who contribute to feeding our kids. Who’s Feeding Our Kids is a series where we explore different people and organizations along the food system who are working to feed our kids and support the 10 Cents a Meal program. These are some of their stories.This story features Michael Ritsema, Director of Dining Services for Plainwell Community Schools and his partnership with Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s ValleyHUB. Continue reading