Tuesday, March 19, 2013

New Resources Available!

Check out the new MSU Extension Newsletter!

Michigan State University Extension News

Community Food Systems Digest

Greetings!

Welcome to Michigan State University Extension News Community Food Systems Digest!

Upcoming Events

Tackling Traceability Workshop - March 27, 2013 | 9 a.m.-Noon | Kalamazoo County MSU Extension, 3299 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048

Michigan Junior Chef Competition - May 9, 2013 | Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 | Registration due March 26, 2013

Ridge Economic Agricultural Partners (REAP) Annual Meeting and Inservice - March 26, 2013 | 7-9 p.m. | Alpine Township Hall, 5255 Alpine Avenue NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321

2013 Garden Educator Workshops - Creating a Youth Farm Stand Project - March 28, 2013 | 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Michigan State University Tollgate Education Center, 28115 Meadowbrook Road, Novi MI 4837

Read more at this link: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=udsiqshab&v=001VZO97oWchjBC_8CU-ZKwVHA1oWZKAdxsKd-UZ0Nck4xDLhXSSgJEiAk3sVdVrnh2BimB3tvC58vxDwYQ9M7kP571B9F4k-NUJputacYtPG52WZrlPuX2Dg%3D%3D

Also check out this Article in the Sentinel Standard about the revamping of the Food Pantry at the Church of the Nazarene!

Congregation becoming the 'hands and feet of Christ'

PHOTO/ KARIN ARMBRUSTER

Church of the Nazarene volunteers (from left) Lois Sullivan, Sarah Bergin and Andrea Jones pose with boxes of food assembled for those in need throughout Ionia County. The church in Ionia has revamped its food pantry, which is offered from 3 to 4:30 p.m. each Monday.

Another resource for people in need throughout the Ionia area is revamped and available, thanks to members and volunteers from the Church of the Nazarene.

Pastor Ron Bergin said the food pantry used to be offered by an on-call basis, but now the congregation and its volunteers are providing the opportunity for those in need to visit the location and receive food items each Monday from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

In addition to the pantry, the church offers the Clothing Closet. Men's, women's and children's gently used clothing is available free of charge, along with shoes and some bedding.

The Church of the Nazarene is located at 83 E. Tuttle Road. For more information or to donate food or clothing items, call 616-527-9350.

Follow Karin Armbruster on Twitter @ISSKarin

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Cabbage

Cabbage is wonderful! Especially this time of year when most stores have it on sale for less than twenty cents/pound for St. Patrick's Day. I personally love cabbage just boiled and drained with a bit of salt and pepper but there are many other wonderful ways to eat it. It's also quite good for you. It is a great source of vitamin C and fiber. Cabbage also has decent amounts of calcium, protein, vitamin A, and Iron. It is very low in fat too so if you are watching your waistline it won't hurt. I love cabbage and I want you to love it too, so here are a few recipes for you to try.

Easy Corned Beef And Cabbage
Sauteed Cabbage
Creamy Coleslaw
Oil And Vinegar Coleslaw
Un-Stuffed Cabbage Soup
Stuffed Cabbage

I hope you get much joy out of the cheap wonderful cabbage available this St. Patrick's day, I sure plan on it.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Volunteer of the Month: Patricia Davis

Check out this link to the Ionia Sentinel-Standard about one of our great CFN Volunteers!

http://www.sentinel-standard.com/article/20130308/NEWS/130309518?refresh=true#&refresh=true

Patricia Davis of Muir named March Volunteer of the Month

Davis has held a volunteer role in her community for as long as she can remember.

By Volunteer Connections Montcalm-Ionia Counties

Mar. 8, 2013 4:12 pm

Patricia Davis visits the United Way office in Belding Thursday to pick up her prize package. Davis was named March Volunteer of the Month by Volunteer Connections Montcalm-Ionia Counties.

Patricia Davis visits the United Way office in Belding Thursday to pick up her prize package. Davis was named March Volunteer of the Month by Volunteer Connections Montcalm-Ionia Counties.

Michigan Good Food Newsletter

This month the Michigan Good Food Newsletter introduces a new series featuring interviews with
people from around Michigan that are striving to meet the goals of the Michigan Good Food Charter.

Michigan Good Food Issue 18 March, 2013
www.michiganfood.org
Michigan Good Food is a policy initiative centered on the Michigan Good Food Charter, which was developed with input from hundreds of people across Michigan. The MSU Center for Regional Food Systems supports and disseminates communications around the charter.

THIS ISSUE:

Michigan Educators Prepare Growers for Comment on Food Safety Modernization Act
“ANR Week” at Michigan State
Living the “Good (Food) Life”: Christine Quane

Center for Regional Food Systems

Michigan State University
480 Wilson Rd
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-432-1612
www.foodsystems.msu.edu/

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Food Pantry Support

So in today's post I will be focusing on our food pantries and how much they need our help and support. There are a lot of smaller pantries in Ionia County and in Montcalm as well. I think that people get focused in on the bigger ones that they are really familiar with and forget that there are small ones that need just as much help. All of our food pantries need support year round, and especially in those in-between times when there aren't any food drives going on.

Some of the most needed items are:
Peanut Butter
Soups or Stews
Proteins like Tuna or canned Chicken
Canned Fruits
Shelf Stable 100% Fruit Juices.
Dried or Canned Beans
Rice or Pasta
Personal Hygiene Items, like soaps or shampoo, toilet paper and household cleaners.

And of course if you are able, most pantries welcome monetary donations so that they can go out and buy what they need most.

So if you get the chance take a minute of your time and a few of your dollars and donate to your closest food pantry.

The Muir Christian Food Pantry is seeking donations to help them with their Easter Basket project where they anticipate preparing over 150 dinner baskets for local families.

This is what will be included in the Baskets:
Ham, Sausage, Hot Dogs, Eggs, Pancakes, Potatoes, Veggies Pie Crust, Pudding Mix, Juice, Biscuit Mix, Margarine, and some other items including household cleaning products.

Baskets will be going out on March 19th, so if you would like to support this project please contact Patricia Davis at 989-855-2064.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Possible Grants open to Community Gardens

Get Ur Good On Grants

Get Ur Good On Grants offer young people around the world an opportunity to help make a lasting positive change. Youth, ages 5-25 worldwide are eligible to apply for a $500 Get Ur Good On Grant to support youth-led projects. Projects must address a demonstrated community need or issue. Service projects will be held in conjunction with Global Youth Service Day on April 26-28, 2013.

The deadline to submit applications is March 10, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/XOIP1o.

Opal Apple Youth Make a Difference Initiative Grants

The Opal® Apple Youth Make a Difference Initiative will award funding to youth-based initiatives serving communities in the U.S. where youth take leadership roles in the project. They are looking for organizations seeking grant dollars in the range of $5,000 - $20,000. The initiatives chosen will address one or more of the issues of food security, nutrition, agriculture, or food politics and education.

The deadline to submit applications is March 31, 2013. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://bit.ly/Vg3aiS.

Do Something Awards

DoSomething.org is the country's largest nonprofit for young people and social change. Since 1996, they have been honoring the nation's best young world-changers, 25 and under. Do Something Award nominees and winners represent the pivotal "do-ers" in their field, cause, or issue. In 2013 five finalists will appear on the Do Something Awards on Vh1 and be rewarded with a community grant, media coverage and continued support from DoSomething.org. The grand prize winner will receive $100,000 during the broadcast.

The deadline to submit applications is April 15, 2013 by 5 pm EST. For more information on this opportunity, visit: http://dsorg.us/RojII.

Reminder: Meeting Today!

Here is a link to the Agenda for today's meeting!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17hDexm3znE_rjJvoBHIa3MxcoFFTVRWA5FTCGfMLwkg/edit?usp=sharing

Also remember that the Educational Committee will be having a Brown Bag Lunch working meeting beginning at noon also at the MSU Extension Office. The Educational Committee has big plans to develop local resources about Hunger Issues, Ways to Eat Healthy, and more! Please bring your own lunch and join in the fun!

Also today at 3:30 pm the Garden & Pantry Committee will be hosting a Garden Planning Workshop from 3:30-4:30 pm. This is open to anyone who is planning a community garden, planning to "add a row" to their family garden, or just wants to learn more about the community gardens that are in Montcalm and Ionia Counties.

I hope to see you soon!