December 28, 2015
Hello everyone and happy holidays!
Here are some updates sent out by NFSN last week when I was out of the office. Please note that NFSN will take a break from sending updates this week through Jan. 5. And as always, this information is archived on our blog: http://www.farmtoschool.org/news-and-articles/this-week-in-farm-to-school-12-22-15
Grants & Funding
1. Native Agriculture & Food Systems Projects Grants
First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) is now accepting grant proposals under its Native Agriculture & Food Systems Initiative. Through the generous support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, First Nations plans to distribute up to 10 grant awards averaging $30,000 each to support projects that aim to strengthen local food-system control; increase access to local, healthy and traditional foods; and decrease food insecurity and food deserts, all with an emphasis on serving Native American children and families. The application deadline is Monday, Jan. 25, 2016. Learn more here.
Webinars & Events
1. Save the Date: 2016 National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
Save the date for the 2016 National Farm to Cafeteria Conference, to be held June 2-4, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. The National Farm to Cafeteria Conference is a biennial event that convenes a diverse group of stakeholders from across the farm to cafeteria movement who are working to source local food for institutional cafeterias and foster a culture of food and agricultural literacy across America. The conference is hosted by the National Farm to School Network, in partnership with local host organizations. Registration opens Feb 15, 2016.
2. Webinar: PolicyLink and Healthy Food Access Portal
Leveraging Institutional Purchasing Power to Expand Access to Healthy Food
Thursday, Jan. 12, 2-3:15pm
You’re invited to join PolicyLink and the Healthy Food Access Portal for a discussion on leveraging university, hospital, and public school purchasing power to expand access to healthy food. Learn more and register here.
Research & Resources
1. Documentary: In Defense of Food - premieres Dec. 30 on PBS
Join author Michael Pollan on a fascinating journey to answer the question: What should I eat to be healthy? Busting myths and misconceptions, In Defense of Food reveals how common sense and old-fashioned wisdom can help us rediscover the pleasures of eating and at the same time reduce our risks of falling victim to diet-related diseases. In Defense of Food premieres Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, 9pm ET on PBS. The film will be accompanied by a comprehensive education program for middle school students created by the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education and Policy at the Teachers College, Columbia University. In addition, an extensive outreach program has been designed to help food and health organizations and community groups use the film to spark deeper engagement and action in support of healthier homes, schools and communities. Learn more here.
Jobs & Opportunities
1. Program Specialist, USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture seeks a Program Specialist to join its Food and Nutrition Service. This position will serve as the Farm to School Coordinator for the Midwest Regional Office, Supplemental Nutrition Program Division. To qualify, candidates must possess extensive experience implementing and managing community food systems or farm to school programming and have proven effective working relationships with community food systems or farm to school practitioners and coalitions. The application deadline is Dec. 30. Learn more and apply here.
Farm to school in the news
10 best farm to school stories from 2015
From national media covering the impact of the USDA Farm to School Program, to regional stories of communities transforming the way kids eat, 2015 was filled with great farm to school storytelling. Check out our list of the 10 best farm to school stories from the past year on our blog.
Through gardens, schools integrate lessons in science, the environment
Parents are working with officials in school districts across Northern Virginia to create school gardens that will not only provide an outdoor oasis but also foster student learning about nutrition and the environment. (The Washington Post)
School program pushes for more New York grown cafeteria food
A new “New York Thursdays” program has been announced for New York City Public Schools. The program aims to bring more food grown in the Empire State to students in Big Apple schools every Thursday. (New York Daily News)
Sending warm wishes to all of you for a festive holiday and New Year!
Stacey
Stacey Sobell | Food & Farms Director | Ecotrust
721 NW 9th Avenue, Suite 200 • Portland, OR 97209
T (503) 467.0751 | F (503) 222.1517 | www.ecotrust.org
*Please note that I work Monday through Thursday
Western Regional Lead for the National Farm to School Network