Health, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

Yesterday, Senate Bill (SB) 139 was passed by the State Senate Education Committee. As described in the Gongwer Michigan Report  for March 10, 2015: 

“A bill that would ensure school groups could sell food products during school hours to raise money even if those foods are out of compliance with federal nutritional requirements won approval Tuesday from the Senate Education Committee. SB (Senate Bill) 139 would allow at least three such sales per week.”

The bill now goes before the full State Senate.  If the bill passes there, the next step in the legislative process is referral to the House Education Committee.

To review the full text of the bill, as well as nonpartisan analyses, go to: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(xhm3ewfvscliylg2po2f15xr))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=2015-SB-0139

If individuals or organizations have views on this issue, they may wish to share those views with state legislators at this time.  The bill appears to be moving quickly.

Thanks Colleen!

Jean Doss

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ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND ON THIS ISSUE:

The federal  Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (otherwise known as the Child Nutrition Reauthorization) included “Smart Snacks In School” nutrition standards for all foods and beverages sold in school during the school day, including through school fundraisers. These standards went into effect this school year (2014/2015).

To learn more about the Smart Snack standards, see these links:

·         Smart Snacks in School: Fundraisers, USDA

·         Smart Snacks in School: USDA’s “All Foods Sold in Schools” Standards, USDA

·         Smart Snacks in Schools, Michigan Department of Education

See recent news stories about this proposed bill in the Michigan legislature below:

·         Bring back bake sales? Michigan lawmaker wants to let schools sell sweets at fundraisers, MLive

·         Cupcakes, doughnuts make comeback in Michigan schools?, Detroit Free Press

·         School bake sales to return?, WILX

See previous national news articles about the launch of the Smart Snacks rules here:

·         U.S. Standards for School Snacks Move Beyond Cafeteria to Fight Obesity – New York Times

·         Put Down the Cupcake: New Ban Hits School Bake Sales – Wall Street Journal

·         School snack foods: In or out? – CNN

MSU Webinar on Hoophouse Site Selection and Construction

 Michigan State University Department of Horticulture, the Michigan Farmers Market Association and the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems are Hosting a Webinar on

Hoophouse Site Selection and Construction 

When: Tuesday, March 24, 2015


Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.  EST


Where: A webinar, where participants can log in with any device that has speakers and a consistent Internet connection. 

Registration for this event is not required.

Join Adam Montri and Erin Caudell, Hoophouse Outreach Specialists at MSU online at https://connect.msu.edu/hoophouse.

If you have never attended an Adobe Connect meeting before, test your connection here first: https://connect.msu.edu/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm  

Description: Join Adam Montri and Erin Caudell to talk about hoophouse site selection and construction. Topics will include how to choose a good site, pre-construction soil preparation, choosing from various hoophouse options and construction recommendations.

This webinar is intended for those that are new to hoophouses and are interested in or planning to purchase one in the future. There will be opportunities to ask questions related to both site selection and construction.  

2015 Updates for the Community Food Network

Community Food Network Meeting

As you know the Community Food Network no longer has a coordinator! Billie Patterson has been directed elsewhere as she serves her 2nd year as AmeriCorps VISTA at United Way Montcalm-Ionia Counties. Billie is available to assist you with questions, but not able to act as coordinator for this group. Penny Beeman has left the world of nonprofits with another job taking her out of the county 50+ hours each week. Penny is also available to assist with questions on a limited schedule. The best way to reach either of these past coordinators is via email to iccfoodnetwork@gmail.com as both people continue to monitor the email and one of us will respond to you as soon as we are able.

Committees

Gardens & Pantry Committee: 

• Many gardens and pantries continued to serve their community in 2014 despite the limited coordination with the Community Food Network.
• We do not have any meetings set up for 2015, and without a volunteer coordinator, monthly meetings are next to impossible. However if others are interested in participating a semi-annual meeting might be possible. Please let us know if you are interested in a Spring Meeting!

Awareness & Resource Committee:  

• The website at IoniaHost.com is no longer active, please remove any links you may have from other websites.
• The Community Food Network Blog Site is updated with new pages to register your 2015 Community Garden and your Plant A Row Garden.
• The Community Food Network Facebook Group is also active and may be the best place to post questions about gardening for group members to share their knowledge.

Educational Committee:   

• The Ionia County ISD has the Outdoor Learning Lab available at H.O. Steele Education Center if you need an outdoor space to teach garden lessons or hold other outdoor activities.  Contact Deb Wagner at dawagner@ioniaisd.org if you would like to use this space.
• The Community Food Network is on many state email lists, receiving emails daily.  When information about a conference or other educational opportunity becomes available, info will be posted the CFN Blog.

Resources Available

• United Way Montcalm-Ionia Counties does still have some hand tools available for new gardens or to replace broken tools at existing gardens.  Please contact iccfoodnetwork@gmail.com to request these.
• MSU Extension also has some supplies in the storage shed.  We need a volunteer to go out to the shed and inventory what is there so we can make it available to gardens.
• The Do-It-Center of Ionia has again donated a bag full of seeds for local community gardens.  If you would like to pick up some seeds, please contact Penny for details.

If your garden or pantry is hosting a special event this year, please email pictures, flyers, and info to iccfoodnetwork@gmail.com and we will get them uploaded to the blog as quickly as possible.  Thank you for being a part of the Community Food Network!