BY THE NUMBERS
The Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub’s approach to community-centered grantmaking shows what’s possible when the people who care most about school meals can transform them together.
Created By, and For, School Food System Leaders
Our five-and-a-half-year initiative, supported by the United States Department of Agriculture and convened by the Illinois Public Health Institute, funds and supports collaborations of local food system leaders. We, too, are a team effort.
The Innovation Hub developed our grant application through a committee that included people at the center of their local food systems, including local food producers, educators, parents and caregivers, community organizers, and many others.
We design and improve our strategies, from community outreach to individual grantee support, to best serve the applicants we hope to reach.
“I just want to reiterate how much I appreciated the accessibility of this grant. No question felt too stupid, and it didn’t feel like I had to already know how USDA grants work in order to apply. Thank you so much for being so helpful at every stage of the process!”
Working Together to Reach Our Long-Term Goals
The projects designed by our first round of grantees are moving us closer to the school food system change we hope to see.
7
PROJECTS WORKING TOWARD YOUTH AND COMMUNITY-CENTERED SOLUTIONS ROOTED IN RELATIONSHIPS
13
PROJECTS WORKING TOWARD FAIR AND LOCAL PROCUREMENT PRACTICES
6
PROJECTS WORKING TOWARD COLLABORATION AMONG STATES AND SCHOOL FOOD SYSTEMS
10
PROJECTS WORKING TOWARD SYSTEMS CHANGE TO INCREASE HEALTHY, LOCAL, FAMILIAR FOODS IN K-12 SCHOOLS
8
PROJECTS WORKING TOWARD SUSTAINED INVESTMENT IN LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM LEADERS
5
PROJECTS WORKING TOWARD POSITIVE SHIFTS IN FOOD PROCUREMENT AND CONSUMPTION
“We’re a primarily agricultural-based community, as many central Illinois small towns are, and I was most intrigued by the idea of bringing in local farmers for partnership. That’s what schools are at their essence: We teach kids, but we also work with our community to do that.”
— JAKE STEWART, PRINCIPAL
Porta Central, Porta CUSD #202
Grantee Impact
Working in communities across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin, we measure progress on many levels. This includes an increase in students, classes, schools, and districts sourcing, preparing, and enjoying local food. It also includes more economic opportunities for farmers and food producers and more engagement opportunities for students and families.
“On Monday, at one of our family engagement cooking classes, I think I saw each parent’s jaw drop at some point when they saw their kid eating—and liking!—a vegetable they hadn’t dreamed of trying to serve their kid. There were beets, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, baby brassica greens…”
— LAURA ARICO
Madison Youth Unlimited
Stories of Innovation
Get details on Innovation Hub collaborations, and lessons learned, from the perspectives of our partners and grantees.