32 Michigan school districts to receive grant for healthier, locally-grown produce in cafeterias

Successful school program expands in its second year

(Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Education announced Thursday that thirty-two school districts statewide will receive an additional 10 cents per meal to purchase locally-grown produce.

“I’m very pleased that the state Legislature expanded program funding and reach,” state superintendent Brian Whiston said. “This program is a true win-win because it provides fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables to schoolchildren while investing in state agriculture.”

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State legislators expanded the 10 Cents a Meal for School Kids & Farms grant from $250,000 in state funding to $375,000 for the upcoming school year.

“The 10 Cents a Meal program is helping expose children to locally-grown produce options in the school setting and is creating partnerships between school districts and their local agricultural producers." said state Sen. Goeff Hansen. "It is my expectation that we will eclipse the successful results of the past year and strengthen student knowledge, preference, selection and consumption of healthy, locally-grown food."

School children aren't the only ones who benefit from the grant, in is fist year, the program had generated sales from 86 farms in 28 counties and 16 additional local businesses such as processors and distributors, according to authorities. 

"The economic impact of local agriculture production is critical to a prosperous Michigan, and the best way to sustainably ensure this is to reach our future where they are learning,” state Rep. Adam Zemke said. “This is the essence behind the 10 Cents a Meal program. It helps schools and local farms to partner together to not only put locally-produced items in the mouths of young Michiganders, but in their minds, too.”

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