Frequently Asked Questions

What is farm to school?

Farm to school is a broad term used to describe efforts to link schools with local agriculture. These efforts are diverse and can include a range of activities such as harvest festivals, field trips to farms, school gardens, farm-raisers (fundraising with local products), educational visits from farmers, and offering locally grown foods in the cafeteria.

Why should I offer Michigan foods in my cafeteria? What are the benefits?

Whether you buy locally grown food directly from a farmer or through a food distributor, you’re helping to support Michigan farmers. Since the food doesn’t have to travel very far, you might find that locally grown also means a greater variety of fresher foods. If you work directly with a farmer, you might even be able to ask for exactly when you want instead of being tied to standard specifications. Offering locally grown foods in your cafeteria also gives you a chance to use food as a teaching tool and help students to understand where their food comes from.

How can food service directors overcome some of the challenges of local school food procurement? What are the small things I can do to support Michigan farmers?

You don’t have to rewrite all of your school menus to start or be involved in a farm to school program. Small steps count! Buy a couple of different varieties of Michigan apples and ask students to select their favorite. Invite a farmer to participate in the taste test and ask her talk with your students about how apples are grown. Highlight a locally grown product on your menus once a month or celebrate Michigan foods with a one week menu in the spring or fall that takes advantage of the harvest.

Can I buy locally grown foods from my food distributor?

Yes! Many food distributors now offer a variety of locally grown foods. Click here to learn more about how to work with your food distributor to help you link your cafeteria to Michigan agriculture.

Grant Application FAQs

How do I know I am eligible to apply for the MI Farm to School Grant Program?

Please check the free and reduced price meal enrollment of your school /district. If it is at least 50%, your school food/nutrition service director can apply for your school/district. Pre-K and early childcare programs are eligible to apply for planning grants only. Pre-K and early childcare programs must be eligible to receive Tier 1 reimbursement rates for at least 50% of program participants as indicated in the current Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) eligibility rates.

Why do applicants need at least 50% free and reduced meal enrollment to participate in this grant program?

The MI Farm to School Grant Program, funded by the WK Kellogg Foundation, is a targeted approach to achieve one of the goals of the Michigan Farm to School: Scaling Up and Branching Out project: to provide vulnerable children with healthy food choices in the school meals and snacks that they rely upon.

How will I know if I am selected?

Grantees will be announced before the start of the grant year. The grant year is September 1 – June 1.

Can I choose to focus my grant application and grant funding on one particular school within my district?

Yes. Food service directors from a school district may choose to focus on a few school buildings or an entire school district’s food service program, but the entire district must have 50% free and reduced-price meal enrollment regardless. Private or charter schools and early childcare programs servicing children from birth - 5 years old may apply as individual grantees, but childcare programs solely contracting with a school/district for all meals programs must apply in partnership with the school/district's food service/nutrition director.

Does the MI Farm to School Grant Program free and reduced rate requirement apply to the entire district?

Yes. Only school districts with 50% free and reduced price meal enrollment may apply. Private or charter schools may apply as an individual school, and must meet the 50% free and reduced price meal enrollment requirement as well. Pre-K and early childcare programs must be eligible to receive Tier 1 reimbursement rates for at least 50% of program participants as indicated in the current Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) eligibility rates.

Can I submit more than one application per grant period?

Only one application for either the planning or implementation grant (not both) is allowed per school/district per grant year. However, if you are a school food service director for more than one school/district, you may apply for either the planning or implementation grant (not both) per school/district.

I am applying for the Implementation grant. What are some examples of existing planning and education?

List any existing relationships, programs, collaborations created or trainings attended to date in your application to show evidence of farm to school planning and/or education. Or, if you were a grantee of the MI Farm to School Grant Program the previous grant year, you can submit your Farm to School Plan with your implementation grant application.

For what kinds of activities and purchases can I use planning grant funding?

Be creative, and plan to use grant funds for what works best for your school/district. Examples of ways planning grant funding may be used include but are not limited to the following:

  • Meeting expenses for gathering farmers, food service professionals, students, parents, community members, etc.
  • Trainings/learning opportunities (i.e. fresh food prep, knife skills, seasonal menu planning, etc.) in addition to those required for grantees
  • Fees associated with attending conferences related to farm to school, local agriculture, food systems, etc.
  • Costs associated with co-learning opportunities, student engagement, school wellness committee engagement, etc.
  • Purchase of kitchen or cafeteria equipment (up to $500) to help prepare or serve fresh, local produce

For what kinds of activities and purchases can I use implementation grant funding?

Again, be creative and plan to grant funds for what works best for your school/district. Examples of ways implementation grant funding may be used include but are not limited to the following:

  • Purchase of kitchen or cafeteria equipment, resources or materials that will help to increase the use of local foods in the school food service program
  • Purchase of fresh, local food products to use in the school food service program
  • Costs associated with co-learning opportunities, student engagement, school wellness committee engagement, etc.
  • Marketing materials for fresh, local foods in school cafeterias (i.e. posters, line tags, etc.)
  • On-going training or learning opportunities for food service staff to utilize fresh, local foods