Farmer Workshop: Bringing the Farm to Early Care and Education
April 21, 2023 - Mariel Borgman , Meagan Shedd, Lori Yelton, Melissa Lonsberry, Amanda Brezzell, John McCarthy, Garrett Ziegler
There is significant untapped market potential for producers in Michigan to sell their products to early care and education (ECE) settings like preschools and child care settings. This half-day training was intended to help farm producers and growers in Michigan build their capacity to sell to ECE settings. The training, now recorded and uploaded here, offered practical tools and relevant information to farmers and processors to help plan and sell to nearby ECEs by providing information about:
- ECE nutrition programs and demand for local produce and farm products, including the 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and farms program;
- ECE solicitations, specifications, and requirements to help farmers and food producers market to ECEs;
- food safety considerations, and;
- action steps you can take to connect with ECEs on your own or through collaborative options.
Explore the recorded training segments and producer training resources:
- Understanding your Buyer: An Overview of the Early Care and Education Market
- The Basics of Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
- Understanding the 10 Cents a Meal Program
- Procurement for Early Care and Education
- Food Safety for Early Care and Education
- Marketing to Early Care and Education Sites
- Producer Training Resources
Farmer Workshop: Bringing the Farm to Early Care and Education
Understanding your Buyer: An Overview of the Early Care and Education Market
Meagan Shedd, Assistant Professor in Early Care and Education in K-12 SettingsLearn about the different types of Early Childhood Education (ECE) Sites to understand their varying needs.
The Basics of Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Melissa Lonsberry, Michigan Department of Education, Child and Adult Care Food program (CACFP)The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a USDA funded program, reimburses participating providers who serve eligible meals or snacks.
Understanding the 10 Cents a Meal Program
Amanda Brezzell, Ten Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and Farms Policy and Engagement Specialist at Groundwork Center for Resilient CommunitiesAcross Michigan, Ten Cents a Meal provides financial incentives to ECEs and school districts offering improved meals while supporting Michigan farmers and strengthening local food systems.
Procurement for Early Care and Education (ECE)
Melissa Lonsberry, Michigan Department of Education, Child and Adult Care Food programThis session explores how Childcare Centers or family daycare homes can obtain goods and services at the best possible prices. The difference between informal and formal purchasing is shared and what might be asked of the farmer or food producer by the ECE buyer as part of that process.
Food Safety for Early Care and Education (ECE)
Lori Yelton, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and Mariel Borgman, Michigan State University ExtensionFood safety is essential in early childcare. The first part of this session offers questions early care and education providers may ask of you so you can effectively share your food safety practices with them. The second explains different resources available to farmers and food producers who would like to source to early care and education providers to help them address food safety standards and regulations.
Marketing to Early Care and Education Sites
Meagan Shedd, Assistant Professor in Farm to Early Care and Education in K-12 SettingsConnecting with early care and education sites as a market is the focus of this session. For each challenge in marketing to ECE sites a benefit and a solution is offered as well as resources for marketing your farm to ECE sites who want to purchase from Michigan farmers.
Producer Training Resources
10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids & Farms
Michigan Farm to School
Michigan Farm to Institution Network
Cultivate Michigan
MSU Extension Community Food Systems
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Michigan Department of Education
USDA Farm to School
National Farm to School Network
Michigan On Farm Produce Safety
Michigan Ag Council
Michigan Food and Farming Systems
Buying and selling farm products:
Taste the Local Difference
Market Maker Michigan
Michigan Farm Fun Directory
Michigan Farmers Market Association