Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub
Center for Regional Food Systems is the Michigan state lead for the Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub. The Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub is a USDA-funded grant-making initiative to reimagine school meals. We are committed to providing our nation’s children nutritious meals that improve their health and set them up for bright futures. We aim to build a resilient food supply chain through innovation, and we aim to create a food system that develops nutritious foods for schools through industry partnerships.
Our initiative offers funding, training, and other assistance to partnerships that include farmers, food producers, suppliers, distributors, schools, and organizations.
Visit innovateschoolfood.org for the most up to date grant information.
Explore resources, join office hours, and connect with the state team. We welcome local and regional food system leaders across Michigan!
View the informational video linked here to learn more about Innovation Hub opportunities for Michigan communities and visit the support for applicants page.
Michigan Open Office HoursJulie Lehman and May Tsupros with Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems are here to answer your questions and offer help. They can help Michigan applicants develop project ideas, form and manage partnerships, strengthen your grant writing, and connect you with resources. Join Open Office Hours:
Zoom link: https://msu.zoom.us/j/5658155119 Meeting ID: 565 815 5119 |
Compliance SupportMariela Medina with the Illinois Public Health Institute can help you understand federal grant compliance, including qualification, ensuring proper management practices, and fulfilling grant requirements. Online Compliance Support:
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En Español
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El Centro de Innovación del Sistema Alimentario Escolar del Lago Michigan
El Centro de Innovación del Sistema Alimentario Escolar del Lago Michigan es una iniciativa de concesión de subvenciones financiada por el USDA que reinventa las comidas de los estudiantes.
Updates
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Michigan Organizations Receive Funding to Strengthen Local School Food System through Innovation Hub
Published on June 29, 2026
Five Michigan organizations will receive grant awards up to $200,000 per year from the Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub to expand access to local, healthy, and delicious food in schools. -
Now Open for Applications! Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub Spark and Innovation Collaboration Awards
Published on October 17, 2025
The Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub supports people working to improve school meals across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Two grant opportunities are available for up to $200,000 per year. Apply by January 23, 2026. -
Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub Launches in Michigan to Revolutionize Our Region’s School Food System
Published on January 27, 2025
Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub offers grants up to $100,000 to build pathways for local and nutritious food to reach more schools across Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana. -
Partridge Creek Farm Cooks Up a Recipe for Success with Partners
Published on January 2, 2025
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Michigan Awarded Two Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub Grants
Published on July 15, 2024
Michigan organizations to receive awards from the Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation hub to build more local, more nourishing, and more loving school food systems in Michigan.
2026 Michigan Grantees
The Illinois Public Health Institute and the Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub announced their 2026 grantees for the Spark and Innovation Collaborative Awards. Meet all of the grantees here.
Spark Awards
- Whitehall District Schools
“Grow a Salad Bar, Produce a Meal!”
Partners: Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) Product Center, Jaekel Enterprises LLC, Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, Montague Area Public Schools, Wittkamp Grain and Vegetable LLC, Lundell Farms, West Michigan Growers Group - Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
“The HARVEST Hub Project: A Local School Wellness Policy-Anchored Framework for School Food, Learning, and Community”
Partners: Gateway Farm, Make Food Not Waste - Farmish
“Michigan School Local Food Readiness Audit (LFRA) – Local Food Made Easy”
Partners: Rebel Cultures, Montague Area Public Schools, Zeeland Public Schools, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland Public Schools
Innovation Collaboration Award
- Eastern Market Corporation
“Detroit Fresh Futures Initiative (DFFI)”
Partners: City of Detroit, Michigan State University-Detroit Partnership for Food (Learning and Innovation), Detroit Public Schools Community District, Grow Moore Collaborative - Wittkamp Grain and Vegetable LLC
"Growing the School Food System: Students, Farmers, and Schools”
Partners: Michigan State University Product Center- FARM Muskegon, Montague Area Public Schools, Shelby Public Schools, West Michigan Growers Group, Country Dairy, Chobani LaColombe, Muskegon Area Intermediate School District
2024 Grantees
Spark Award
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Michigan
Workshops to Expand Local Purchasing in Schools
Innovation Collaborative Award
- Partridge Creek Farm, Michigan
Food Futures
Partners: Northwoods Test Kitchen, Chartwells, MSU Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center, Marquette-Alger RESA, Ishpeming Public School District No. 1, Negaunee Public Schools, Little Parsley Farm and UP Food Exchange
The Illinois Public Health Institute and the Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub will work with the Spark and Innovation Collaborative Awards recipients throughout the grant period to support school food system and marketplace improvements and promote systems-level change.
The Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub is funded through the U. S. Department of Agriculture and convened by the Illinois Public Health Institute.
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