NJ Farm to School: Healthy food for students and supporting education programmes through online betting

Welcome to the NJ Farm to School website – supporting local agriculture and healthy food in New Jersey schools

Welcome to njfarmtoschool.org! Our mission is to support New Jersey schools in providing fresh and local produce for children by creating strong connections between schools and farmers. The Farm to School program, initiated by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, helps integrate fresh fruits and vegetables into school menus, keeping students healthy and promoting local agriculture. The website provides educational resources, information on grants and programmes that make children’s meals healthier and more environmentally friendly.

How does the Farm to School programme work?

Our programme is designed to ensure that school children have access to quality, local produce and learn about where food comes from and how it affects health and the environment. We support New Jersey farmers by supplying their produce to schools and focus on education so that children develop sustainable food habits.

Key elements of the programme

Farm to School encompasses several areas, each of which plays an important role in our commitment to improving student nutrition and knowledge:

• Supplying local produce to schools: Local farmers supply fresh fruit and vegetables that go straight to school children’s tables, making for a healthier menu.
• School gardens: With the help of grants, schools create their own gardens where students can grow plants and see how their food develops.
• Farm Trips: Students can visit New Jersey farms to learn about the process of growing food, meet local farmers, and feel connected to nature.

Why is Farm to School important for schools and families?

This programme offers schools and families a number of benefits. From improving students’ physical health to supporting local farming, Farm to School plays a key role in creating a sustainable future for all participants.

The main benefits of the programme are:

• Improving children’s health: Access to fresh fruit and vegetables at school promotes good nutrition and reduces the risk of obesity.
• Supporting local farmers: Purchasing produce from farmers supports the state’s economy and promotes the agricultural sector.
• Environmental Sustainability: Using local produce reduces carbon footprint because food is transported shorter distances.
• Pedagogical value: Children learn where food comes from and better understand the importance of good nutrition.

Mini-grant programme for schools

We offer schools the opportunity to receive financial support through the Mini-Grant Programme. These grants help schools purchase equipment for gardens, pay for farm trips or install salad bars in canteens serving fresh fruit and vegetables.

How can schools use mini-grants?

Schools that apply for the Farm to School programme can receive grants for the following:

1. Creating school gardens: Grants can be used to buy seeds, equipment and materials so pupils can grow their own fruit and vegetables.
2. Farm Trips: Funding covers transport costs for school trips to farms where children can see how farmers work and how produce grows.
3. Cafeteria upgrades: Installing salad bars in school cafeterias increases the selection of fresh produce, making meals healthier.

Participate in Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week

Each year, New Jersey schools celebrate ‘Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week,’ which emphasises the importance of fresh, seasonal produce and brings schools, farmers and the local community together. During this week, students participate in tastings and have the opportunity to learn more about fruits and vegetables grown in their region.

Activities for the week

Tastings: Students sample fresh produce from local farmers, including seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Recipes from local produce: Students and parents receive recipes that can be easily prepared at home using local ingredients.
Educational Activities: Lessons and presentations are given to teach students about the benefits of produce and the principles of healthy eating.

Grant support and programme development

The Farm to School programme continues to grow thanks to financial support from government and local initiatives. We are constantly looking for new opportunities to expand our impact and increase the number of participants in the programme.

How does grant support help grow the programme?

Funding helps us expand the number of schools participating in the programme, improve access to fresh produce and introduce new initiatives to improve school nutrition and sustainability. Thanks to grant support, we are able to:

• Increase the number of school gardens and field trips.
• Upgrade equipment in the canteens.
• Provide educational activities for all programme participants.

Online betting as support for Farm to School educational programmes

Modern online betting platforms are becoming not only a popular entertainment, but also a promising tool to support various social and educational projects. The Farm to School programme is aimed at improving school meals and educating students about sustainable agriculture, and online betting can become one of the forms of financial support for these initiatives.

Partnership programmes and sponsorship from online betting platforms can channel funds to important projects such as school gardens, canteen upgrades and farm tours. With this support, Farm to School will be able to expand its impact and reach more schools, giving students access to fresh and useful products and educational materials.

Join Farm to School!

We invite New Jersey schools, parents, and farmers to participate in the Farm to School programme. By joining us, you will support sustainable nutrition and healthy habits in the younger generation. On our website, njfarmtoschool.org, you will find detailed information about the programme, grants and events to help you become part of this important movement.