Did you celebrate Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week? See how others in the state celebrated!
Above: Third Grade teacher Jessica Cuevas, Margate schools superintendent Dr. Theresa DeFranco receive a prize check from Nancy Painter of Edible Jersey magazine at Eugene A. Tighe Middle School, Margate, NJ.
At right: Beth Feehan and Secretary Fisher are treated to a tour of the garden by 4th grader Hanna Thulin.
On Monday, September 24th, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Edible Jersey Magazine and New Jersey Farm to School Network awarded the first ever School Garden of the Year Award to Eugene A. Tighe Middle School and William H. Ross Elementary School, Margate City. Check out scenes from the day here.
On Tuesday, September 25th, Assemblyman John F. McKeon presented a Legislative Resolution to Seth Boyden Demonstration School in the school’s outdoor garden, “Strawberry Fields”, to honor the work being done by the teachers, parents and school community to teach children where their food comes from.
See pictures of the day here. The New Jersey Farm to School Network also presented a plaque to Assm. McKeon, in honor of his efforts to establish the last week in September as “Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week”.
Members of the Seth Boyden School Garden Committee, Principal Mark Quiles join Assemblyman John McKeon, Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, garden founder Lorraine Gibbons and NJ Farm to School Network Director Beth Feehan for the ceremony.
Elizabeth Haddon students try out the salad bar with items that include local produce from area farms.
On Thursday, September 27, NJ Department of Agriculture Food And Nutrition Division visited the debut of a new school salad bar at Elizabeth Haddon Elementary School in Haddonfield. Attendees were treated to a tour of the school’s garden and sampled items made with vegetables grown in the garden. Click here for more info.
Many other schools throughout the state celebrated their own Farm to School Week celebrations. Check with your local school for specific activities.
Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week was established by law to bring attention to the Farm to School Program, which connects schools to local farmers to increase the amount of local fresh produce available for consumption by students during the school day.