Fresh, Local Food for Little Ones: Farm to Early Care in Livingston County
Fresh, Local Food for Our Little Ones: Connecting Farms to Early Care in Livingston County
Raising healthy, thriving kids takes a village—and it also takes a great community food system! As parents and caregivers, we all want to give our little ones the best possible start. Finding simple ways to introduce nutritious, fresh food during the critical ages of 0 to 5 sets up healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Whether you are packing snacks for a day at a park in Brighton, cooking dinner at home in Fowlerville, or wondering how your local child care center sources its meals, there is an exciting new statewide movement growing right here in our backyard.
What is “Farm to Early Care and Education”?
You might have heard of “Farm to School” programs for older kids, but the same wonderful ideas apply to our littlest learners in child care centers, preschools, and home daycares.
Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) is all about connecting early childhood programs to local farms. It focuses on three simple pillars:
- Serving local foods: Bringing fresh, Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into early childhood breakfasts, lunches, and snacks.
- Food education: Helping young children explore where their food comes from through fun, hands-on sensory activities.
- Gardening: Giving kids the chance to plant seeds, watch them grow, and taste the fruits of their labor.
When child care providers embrace these steps, it helps children build a positive relationship with fresh food early on. If you are a parent or provider in Livingston County, these small changes mean our kids get more color on their plates and a deeper connection to our beautiful Michigan agricultural community.
Celebrating the New Michigan Farm to School & Early Care Network
To make it easier for communities to connect these dots, a new statewide initiative is officially launching! Built upon approximately two decades of dedicated local efforts, the Michigan Farm to School & Early Care Network is stepping forward to provide incredible resources and networking opportunities that support our cafeterias, classrooms, and communities.
This network is built to support practitioners at all levels who are implementing farm to school and farm to ECE activities for youth ages 0–18 across the state of Michigan. It brings everyone together into one coordinated system—including early childhood educators, food service staff, farmers, and family advocates.
Join the Network Launch & Celebration!
By attending this virtual launch event, local providers and partners will receive updates on Michigan farm to school and early care initiatives, hear inspirational stories directly from the field, and take part in meaningful networking with other practitioners!
- What: Michigan Farm to School & Early Care Network Launch & Celebration
- When: Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
- Where: Virtually via Zoom
- Cost: Free!
If you are a local child care provider, a home daycare owner in Hamburg Township, or an interested parent leader, this virtual launch is a beautiful opportunity to grow your support system. For network questions or additional information, feel free to reach out to Julie Lehman at lehmanju@msu.edu.
Register for the Free Virtual Launch Event Here
Easy Ways to Bring the “Farm” to Your Family Today
You don’t have to wait for a school program to start enjoying the benefits of local food with your children. Here are a few simple, jargon-free ways to practice farm-to-early-care ideas at home this week:
- Visit a Local Farm Stand or Market: Take a family trip to a farmers market in downtown Howell or Brighton. Let your toddler or preschooler point out a fruit or vegetable they have never tried before and bring it home to taste test together.
- Grow a “Pizza Garden” in a Pot: You don’t need a massive backyard in Tyrone or Marion Township to garden. Plant a single cherry tomato plant or a small pot of basil on a sunny porch or windowsill. Let your child be the official “water helper.”
- Explore with Sensory Play: Before chopping up a zucchini or a bell pepper for dinner, let your child touch the smooth skin, smell the fresh crunch, and talk about the bright colors. Getting comfortable with raw vegetables through sight and touch makes trying a bite much less intimidating!
Help Me Grow is Here to Support You
Navigating resources for your child’s growth, health, and nutrition can sometimes feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. At Great Start Livingston and Help Me Grow Livingston, we believe in building strong, connected systems so that every family feels supported and welcomed.
If you are looking for local child care options that value healthy habits, want to check in on your child’s developmental milestones, or need help connecting to food assistance programs in Livingston County, we are here to walk alongside you.
Connect with Help Me Grow Livingston
