What does "locally grown" mean?

For the purposes of this contest, locally grown items are those that are grown within 250 miles of where they are sold. You can find items local to your area in most grocery stores or farmers’ markets.  To learn more about why using locally grown items is important, and to find providers of fruits, vegetables, cheese, meat and other items produced in your area, visit www.localharvest.org.   If you are having trouble meeting the local requirement, we will be happy to work with you to answer any questions and help you find a purveyor.  Please contact Sara Klinzing by email or at (312) 419-1810.

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How much does it cost to travel to Detroit?

Teams selected to compete in the final round will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Detroit.

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If I have questions about the contest, who should I contact?

If you have questions regarding any aspect of the contest, contact Sara Klinzing by email or at (312) 419-1810.

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What is Healthy Schools Campaign?

Healthy Schools Campaign, a nonprofit organization, is the leading authority on healthy school environments and a voice for people who care about our environment, our children, and education. Our mission is to advocate for policies and practices that allow all students, teachers and staff to learn and work in a healthy school environment. Healthy Schools Campaign has been holding Cooking up Change Healthy Cooking Contests for the past three years. For more information, visit www.healthyschoolscampaign.org.

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What is the National Farm to School Network?

The National Farm to School Network is a collaborative project of the Center for Food & Justice, a division of the Urban & Environmental Policy Institute at Occidental College and the Community Food Security Coalition.

The overarching objective of the National Farm to School Network is to create a viable and sustainable structure to promote, institutionalize and catalyze farm to school programs as viable models for improving the economic viability of family-scale farmers and child nutrition. For more information, visit www.farmtoschool.org.

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What is Taking Root?

Taking Root is the 5 th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference which will take place May 17-19, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. This conference is an opportunity to learn from and network with hundreds of people from across the country who are working to get local food onto every table.

Taking Root includes field trips to local farms, school lunchrooms and processing facilities; short courses covering topics such as media training and research and evaluation; an open space session; 32 workshops on issues such as federal and state policy, experiential education, sustainability and economic development and sessions geared towards youth, producers, and food service providers. All food will be organic or sustainably produced and locally sourced whenever possible. Visit www.farmtocafeteriaconference.com for more information.

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