Frank Mentesana
Director of EcoSpaces Education
Philip's Academy Charter School
Newark, NJ
Our state's tomatoes are nationally recognized as being among the best in the world. To pay homage to the great work being done in our state and to promote local agriculture, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture honors those who have excelled in providing Jersey Fresh produce to school children in our state. They are the Top Tomatoes in the Jersey Fresh Farm to School Program!
Frank Mentesana is the founding Director of EcoSpaces Education at Philip's Academy Charter School in Newark, New Jersey. EcoSpaces is a comprehensive program that teaches children about the interconnectedness of food, health and the environment. Through the use of learning environments, which include the school dining room (serving healthy, made-from-scratch lunches), a rooftop garden, a controlled environment growing lab, a hands-on teaching kitchen and an Eco Handwork Studio, teachers are able to incorporate curriculum while reinforcing key health and wellness concepts. Philips Academy was the recipient of the 2015 "Best Nutrition Education" School Garden of the Year Award presented by the New Jersey Farm to School Network. Frank has more than 20 years of experience in foodservice, 10 of which were spent as the owner of Once Upon A Tart in Manhattan.
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