State grant funding will help bring local food to schools in Emmet and Charlevoix counties over the next two years.
The Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities and the United Way of Northwest Michigan will administer $40,000 to Boyne Falls Public School, Ellsworth Community School, East Jordan Public Schools, Pellston Public Schools and the Public Schools of Petoskey.
That’s after the Health Department of Northwest Michigan missed the deadline to apply after infighting last year. The Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles Initiatives grant caused the board to fail in a vote to approve its own agenda in May, 2023.
In many cases, the monies will go toward paying for transportation of local fruits and vegetables from area farms.
Cori Fitzpatrick is a Farm to Institution Specialist with the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities. She says the program is popular with both schools and farmers.
“What better place to put our food and to share our hard work than a school. But also it's a market that’s consistent,” she said.
The grant also supports the 10 Cents a Meal, implemented by the Michigan Department of Education. It incentivizes local schools to purchase from local farms.
According to a 2023 legislative report, half of grantees reported that participation in 10 Cents a Meal allowed them to make connections with new farmers or food suppliers.
Fitzpatrick says her organization will continue to work with the health department on future grant opportunities.
