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Photo of a salad bar with Jersey Fresh produce - Click to enlarge
Schools Throughout the State Planning Festivities Surrounding Jersey Fresh Produce

For Immediate Release: September 16, 2014
Contact: Lynne Richmond
(609) 633-2954               
lynne.richmond@ag.state.nj.us 

(TRENTON) – New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher today announced the 4th annual Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week will be held September 22-26 to celebrate the partnerships being built between state farmers and schools and encourage schools to purchase produce from local farmers to incorporate in school meals.

“We applaud the schools that have worked to incorporate more nutritious Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables into their meal programs,” said Secretary Fisher.  “Farm to School Week celebrates how far we’ve come and looks forward to bringing more local produce to New Jersey school children in the future.”

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has planned events next week at three of the many successful farm to school programs:

Tuesday, September 23 – 11:45 a.m. -- Kick-off at Anthony V. Ceres Elementary School, 445 State St., Perth Amboy.  The school has been committed to serving local produce in its school meals program as well as the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. 

10 a.m. Wednesday, September 24 -- Salem County Career and Technical High School, 880 Route 45, Woodstown.  There will be a stop in the cafeteria where students will be taste-testing salsa, a tour of the garden and a look the mobile farmers market truck.

12:30 pm. Friday, September 26 -- South Hunterdon Regional High School, 301 Mt. Airy-Harbourton Rd. Tiffany Morey’s Plant Science class is working on growing a mobile, edible wall.

Many other schools throughout the state are planning 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.

Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno recently signed a package of bills that support New Jersey’s Farm to School program by increasing student access to healthy, locally grown foods.

For more information on the New Jersey Farm to School Program, visit www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/fn/childadult/farm_to_school.html.