by iphi | Feb 27, 2026 | Stories
The idea for School Meal Sparks struck Kirsten Strong, the resident dietitian of Kalamazoo Public Schools, as she sampled school meal-appropriate dishes prepared by culinary arts students at Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC). Invited as a guest to try their...
by iphi | Feb 27, 2026 | Stories
The Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub supports school and food system leaders who have transformational ideas—but who may not have access to the resources or experience necessary to pursue federal funding opportunities. That’s why the Illinois Public...
by iphi | Feb 27, 2026 | Stories
Madison School Corporation (Madison, IN), in collaboration with Madison Youth Unlimited, is innovating school meals and strengthening the regional food system through its Growing Minds Project. On August 1, 2025, the corporation launched the first student-led farm...
by iphi | Feb 27, 2026 | Stories
“Buy Local, Cook Fresh Illinois” is a comprehensive training project helping three rural Central Illinois schools transform their food service programs into scratch-cooking operations that use locally sourced ingredients. The cohort approach allows participants...
by iphi | Feb 27, 2026 | Stories
Change starts by listening, which is why the Innovation Hub engaged school food system leaders to develop a powerful roadmap for reimagining what’s possible for school meals. This was done with help from Action for Healthy Kids through a project funded by the U.S....
by iphi | Feb 27, 2026 | Stories
On Thursday, May 1, 2025, students at Proviso Township High Schools District 209 got a taste of local food, from farm to tray! They participated in a taste test to try a regional black bean and beef blend patty. The taste test was conducted across three schools:...
