Homegrown News

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Homegrown Minneapolis is a citywide initiative 

expanding our community's ability to grow, process, 

distribute, eat and compost more healthy, sustainable, 

locally grown foods.

January 2019

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News

Garden

 

Apply by February 28th to Lease a Lot for your Community Garden
or Market Garden

The City of Minneapolis offers vacant lots for qualifying groups to lease for community or market gardening. Find the Garden Request Form, information on the leasing process, lease fees and a map showing which lots are currently available at www.minneapolismn.gov/garden lease

2018 Homegrown Highlights

Homegrown Minneapolis celebrated another year of helping the community grow, process, distribute, eat and compost more healthy, sustainable and locally grown food. 
View the 2018 Homegrown Highlights.


Events

January Food Council Meeting

Wednesday, January 9th | 5:00 - 7:30 pm

5:00 - 5:30 pm Pre-meeting discussion with University of MN Extension staff

5:30 - 7:30 pm Food Council meeting 

University of MN Urban Research & Outreach Center (UROC), Room 107
2001 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis

Meeting Agenda

 

Save the Date - Homegrown Minneapolis Food Policy Forum

Mark your calendars for the Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council's annual community event.

Wednesday evening, April 17th 

Minneapolis Public Schools Davis Center, 1250 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis

Additional details coming soon.

 

Minnesota Farmers Market Association,
Upper Midwest Fruit and Vegetable Growers 
and Minnesota Cottage Food Producer Conferences

Thursday, January 17th & Friday, January 18th

St. Cloud River's Edge Convention Center
10 4th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301

More Information and Registration

 

Sustainable Farming Association Annual Conference

Saturday, February 9th | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Gorecki Center at the College of Saint Benedict
37 College Ave S, St Joseph, MN 56374

More Information and Registration

 

Winter Farmers Markets

In Minneapolis, winter doesn't mean the end of local foods and farmers markets. Check out the various winter farmers markets open during the colder season! Stock up on fresh late-season produce, artisan crafts and handmade goods, savory treats and more. 


Resources & Opportunities

Community Garden Compost - Applications Available Soon

Low and no-cost compost is available each spring and fall, while supplies last, for qualifying community gardens only. The 2019 compost application will be available by the end of January and is due by April 19th for spring compost deliveries.

Compost Bins

Minneapolis Public Schools True Food Taste Tests

Minneapolis Public Schools Culinary & Wellness Services (MPS) is conducting a True Food Taste Test on February 6-8 and is seeking volunteer support. True Food Taste Tests take place three times each year in school cafeterias to help generate student excitement around trying new, flavorful recipes. This year, around 20,000 students from 45 different schools will participate in True Food Taste Tests.

For February’s taste test, MPS students will be sampling a new Sunrise Breakfast Grain--made with a blend of ancient grains, fruit, and spices. MPS needs volunteers to help prepare samples, distribute them to students, and generate excitement for these taste tests!  Volunteer shifts take place during lunchtime, typically between 10:00am and 1:30pm, and participating schools can be found on our Taste Test webpage. If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, please email kate.seybold@mpls.k12.mn.us.

Greater Twin Cities United Way Community Investments RFP

Greater Twin Cities United Way is issuing a Community Investments Request for Proposal (RFP) to secure the services of eligible organizations to address the most pressing needs for our region across three core impact areas of Economic Opportunity, Educational Success and Household Stability. The RFP will close at 3 pm on January 8th, 2019.

Good Food Access Grant -
Minnesota Department of Agriculture

The Good Food Access Program Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant (GFAP) increases the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food (including produce) for underserved communities in low and moderate income areas. Grants help grocery store and small food retailers make physical improvements and purchase equipment to stimulate sales of such foods. The application period will close on January 17th, 2019. 

Good Food Access Technical Assistance Provider Grant - Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Non-profit organizations and public agencies with capabilities to provide technical assistance to eligible grocery stores and small food retailers are invited to apply for the Good Food Access Program Technical Assistance Grant. See the Request for Proposal (RFP)  for more detail. The application period will close on March 14th, 2019. 

 

Lakewinds Organic Field Fund Grant

Lakewinds Organic Field Fund (LOFF) is a grant program dedicated to making an impact on local farming and organic food, supported by Lakewinds Food Co-op. The goal of LOFF is to provide funding to farmers working on the development and sustainability of organics through: financial support for the process of organic transition, earning organic certification, improvement to packing sheds and other facilities, purchase of equipment and tools, purchases that increase farm productivity or efficiency and projects that improve soil health. The application deadline is February 1st, 2019. 

 

Allina Neighborhood Health Connection Grant

Neighborhood Health Connection Grants support communities in building social connections, among the same group of adults, through healthy eating and physical activity. Any community nonprofit or local government can apply. The 2019 Neighborhood Health Connection Grant application period will close on February 14th, 2019. 

 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Justice Small Grants

The Environmental Justice Small Grants Program supports and empowers communities working on solutions to local environmental and public health issues. The program is designed to help communities understand and address exposure to multiple environmental harms and risks. Environmental Justice Small Grants fund projects up to $30,000, depending on the availability of funds in a given year. The application period will close on Friday, February 15th, 2019. 

 

Beginning with Compeer Financial Grant Program for Farmers

The Beginning with Compeer Financial Grant Program is available to farmers who reside in Compeer Financial’s 144-county territory, have started farming no longer than ten years ago, and demonstrate farming as the applicant’s part-time or full-time vocation.


View additional information on the Homegrown Minneapolis website.

"Like" the Friends of Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council on Facebook!

Homegrown Minneapolis brings together key partners from local government, area businesses, community organizations,

non-profits, and residents to build a healthy, local food system.

www.minneapolismn.gov/homegrown

 

 

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Please contact Tamara Downs Schwei if you would like to suggest an item for the monthly Homegrown Newsletter.

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