The C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University works to promote sustainable food systems through applied research and outreach. Their goals include improving access to locally produced food. Some of their current activities include supporting farm to school programs, farmers markets, season extension techniques, and youth agricultural education. The group has played a key role in establishing farm to school programs in Michigan, conducting the first farm to school survey in 2004 and convening meetings that helped form the Michigan Farm to School Coalition.

1. Colleen Matts Farm to School Specialist C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems Michigan State University

3. Michigan Farm to School Farm to School programs began in northwest Michigan Traverse City Area Public Schools Michigan Land Use Institute Conducted Farm to School survey of Michigan food service directors 2004 C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems Michigan Department of Education

4. Michigan Farm to School 2005 Convened Farm to School Coalition Meetings Governor Granholm signed Executive Order establishing Michigan Food Policy Council Food System Economic Partnership launched in southeast Michigan 5 County Administrators C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems MFPC Executive Coordinator MSU Extension

5. Michigan Farm to School 2006 Michigan Food Policy Council published Report of Recommendations 2007 Food System Economic Partnership hires Farm to School Coordinator C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems hires Farm to School Specialist

6. Michigan Farm to School 2008 Farm to School Conference held in Northwest Michigan Michigan Land Use Institute Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District Rep. Gonzalez introduced bill to raise small purchase threshold Farm to School bill package introduced

7. Michigan Farm to School 2008 Michigan Farm to School Website launched Purchasing Michigan Products: A Step-By-Step Guide released Traverse City Area Public Schools Food System Economic Partnership Lakeview School District (Battle Creek) Beth Collins, Chef/Consultant C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems Michigan Department of Education School Nutrition Association of Michigan

8. Michigan Farm to School 2008 House and Senate Agriculture Committee hearings held for Farm to School bills Food System Economic Partnership Michigan Land Use Institute Center for Economic Security Cherry Capital Foods Distributor School Food Service Directors Farmers Governor Granholm Signed Farm to School bills C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems