10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and Farms 2024-2025 Legislative Report
DOWNLOADMarch 24, 2026 - Michigan Department of Education, Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
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Email10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids and Farms provides grant funds to pay for Michigan-grown food, local food transportation fees, and food service labor expenses to strengthen the local food supply chain and enrich nutrition and educational experiences for children. Eligible grantees include schools, early care and education centers, and other institutions that participate in Child Nutrition Programs in Michigan.
10 Cents a Meal is implemented by the Michigan Department of Education with support from Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems.
The Michigan Department of Education submits a report every year to the state legislature about 10 Cents a Meal, to which 10 Cents partners contribute. The data presented in this report is based on preliminary evaluation of data collected from three electronic evaluation surveys. Out of 251 grantees, 238 responded to the surveys and 243 provided purchasing data.
This report outlines the impacts for children and food programs, in addition to the impacts on the local food economy.
Program Goals
- Improve daily nutrition and eating habits for children through local purchasing.
- Invest in Michigan agriculture and related local food business economy.
- Build and expand Farm to School Partnerships- including teachers, parents, vendors, and local growers.
- Provide education and marketing, including meal promotion, nutrition and agriculture education, and promotion of local foods to families and communities.
2024-2025 Program Year Overview
- In the 2024-2025 program year, 251 school districts, early care and education sites, and other childcare sponsors were awarded $4 million in funding.
- Grantees were comprised of 233 schools and districts, 17 independent childcare sites, and one community service agency across the state.
- 238 different grantees shared information through electronic reporting surveys, and 243 grantees submitted purchase information.
- Additionally, 122 family day care homes participated through their Sponsoring organization.
- Collectively, grantees served over 600,000 children in 64 of Michigan's 83 counties.
This report is authored by:
