Farm to School: March 2024 Newsletter
National Nutrition Month
In these uncertain times, breakfast is more important than ever as it is the foundation for student physical and emotional well-being. Studies have shown that students whose nutritional needs are met have fewer attendance issues and discipline problems and enhanced abilities to learn and achieve. There are many reasons children do not have the opportunity to eat breakfast at home: early rising, busy or hectic weekday mornings, long bus rides, working parents, the inability of families to provide nutritious food, and food insecurity. We are excited to see how schools are incorporating local foods into breakfast meals to fuel students for success during National School Breakfast Week. Thank you food service staff for all you do to give students a great start to their day.
National Nutrition Month Celebrations
Thank you for celebrating National School Breakfast Week. If your breakfast menu highlights local foods, please share your photos by uploading them to this FOLDER or send your photos directly to veronica@nwifoodcouncil.org. We will highlight photos at future events, programs, and share with other stakeholders. Please make sure that any children and individuals featured in your photos have current photo release forms. Thank You!
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Sweet and Sloppy Joe
This kid friendly recipe combines ground beef, bell peppers and onions in a sweet and savory sauce. A delicious sandwich.
March Food Celebrations
March 13 - National Chicken Noodle Soup
March 18 - National Sloppy Joe Day
REGION ROOTS FARM FEST 2024
Thank you for joining us at Region Roots Farm Fest 2024. The event was a celebration of our local food community and the people who work so hard to bring delicious local foods to our plates and schools. It was an evening of wonderful local food & talent.
UPDATES
FUNDING
Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub Awards
DEADLINE: April 30, 2024
SPARK AWARDS
Spark Awards fund projects that need a short-term infusion of funds for the school food system and marketplace improvements, such as capacity building, planning, and product testing projects.
Award Range: $10,000 - $75,000
INNOVATION COLLABORATIVE AWARDS
Innovation Collaborative Awards fund projects that promote systems-level change of the school food system and marketplace, such as scaling up of programs, regional partnerships, or new program or product development and integration.
UPCOMING EVENTS
RESOURCES
Farm to School Office Hours
Join Farm to School Coordinators from the Indiana Grown for Schools Network and other farm to school and early care stakeholders each month to discuss and find answers to your questions related to local foods. Farm to school office hours are on the third Wednesday of each month from 3:30 - 4:30 PM ET. You can request a monthly calendar hold by emailing Brianna Goode at bgoode@health.in.gov
Questions or feedback about the program?
Would love to hear from you!
Reach out to Veronica Jalomo, Farm-to-School Coordinator,
veronica@nwifoodcouncil.org, (765) 412-6136
