Center for Regional Food Systems 10 Cents a Meal

The Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) team is disappointed that 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids and Farms (10 Cents a Meal) was not included as a line item in the recently released 2026 State School Aid budget for Michigan. Now in its 10th program year, 10 Cents a Meal recently hit a milestone of over 300 program applicants from across the state for the 2025-2026 school year — more than any other year — who desire to purchase fruit, vegetables, and dry beans from Michigan producers to serve to Michigan children. Following years of increased interest and participation, the unfunding of 10 Cents a Meal is a blow to Michigan’s food system; it negatively impacts the financial ability of food program managers to serve local, nutrient-dense produce to children, and will shrink a significant market opportunity for farmers and food businesses. 

10 Cents a Meal is a statewide local food purchasing incentive that provides matching grants to pay for Michigan-grown produce and dry beans, as well as local food transportation fees and food service labor expenses. Schools, early care and education (ECE) sites, and other organizations that participate in eligible Child Nutrition Programs can apply each year. This program works to strengthen the local food supply chain and enriches nutrition and educational experiences for children in Michigan.  

Since this program launched as a pilot with state funding in the 2016-2017 school year, a core Michigan team has supported it: the Michigan Department of Education administers the program; the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development assists with agricultural connections; the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities provides communications and advocacy support; and CRFS provides programmatic evaluation each year.  

The 2024-2025 program year was funded at $4.5 million and reached an estimated 600,000 children. Representing 64 out of 83 counties in Michigan, 251 grantees participated in this program. This demonstrates continued growth in participation over the program years, and the Michigan Department of Education is on track to reimburse a majority of the allocated $4 million in local food and associated costs. 

Notably, this program has bolstered the ability for farmers to sell to schools and other non-school sponsors through connections and funding. According to the 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and Farms 2023-2024 Legislative Report, over 60 varieties of produce and beans were purchased from 270 farms across 60 Michigan counties. An additional 51 businesses, such as food hubs, processors, and distributors, also participated in this food supply chain. A majority of grantees (59%) reported that they were able to make a new connection with a farmer or food supplier during this program year. It takes time and effort to forge relationships between farmers and food program managers — continued funding for 10 Cents a Meal has allowed many relationships to be made and strengthened over consecutive years of program participation. 

In the same report, one farmer remarked upon the collaborative infrastructure that 10 Cents a Meal provides. “We hear all the time from grantees, ‘I need help connecting with farmers, I don't know how to start relationships, I don't know what it's going to be like because I’m so used to working with [broadline distributor].’ This is a whole new world for them, they don't even know how to get started.” In addition to expanding the food purchasing budget for schools and other grantees, 10 Cents a Meal provides connections and trainings to offer well-rounded support that leads to lasting change across meal programs. 

Following the announcement of the unfunding of this program, the Michigan Department of Education remains committed to supporting local food purchasing in Michigan; those looking for help finding a supplier, nutrition education tools, or answering procurement questions are encouraged to reach out to them directly: MDE-FarmtoProgram@Michigan.gov. The Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities is discussing other solutions to build capacity for supporting local food purchasing going forward. Meanwhile, CRFS is evaluating the impact of the 2023-2024 program year and will share the full report upon completion, and some updates along the way. Over the last several years as a statewide program, 10 Cents a Meal has demonstrated substantial influence on increasing access to locally grown produce for children in schools, early care and education centers, and other institutions, as well as strengthening connections between schools and producers.  

CRFS will continue to share updates and actions as we actively build strategy with our partners to uplift Michigan children and farmers.

Explore the Impact of 10 Cents a Meal

• Legislative Reports
  • Read these concise reports designed to provide timely information to policymakers following the 2016-2017 pilot year through the 2023-2024 school year.
• Evaluation Reports
  • Explore the full evaluation and reporting on the program’s activities and impacts led by CRFS from 2016-2023.
• Success Stories
  • Hear directly from the farmers, educators, students and communities that are being nourished by 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids & Farms.

About Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems

The Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems advances regionally-rooted food systems through applied research, education, and outreach. We do this by uniting the knowledge and experience of diverse stakeholders with that of MSU faculty and staff. Our work fosters a thriving economy, equity, and sustainability for Michigan, the nation, and the planet by advancing systems that produce food that is healthy, green, fair, and affordable. Learn more: foodsystems.msu.edu