New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher announced a program to recognize schools and farmers who work together to ensure students have access to healthy Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables in their school cafeterias.
Applications for the 2014-2015 Jersey Fresh Farm to School Recognition Program are now available to schools and farms who regularly participate in Farm to School activities. The applications can be found online at https://bit.ly/1erIfPb and are due May 1.
There are many benefits to the schools and farms for participating in the recognition program.
School get the opportunity to expand their farm to school efforts, highlight Jersey Fresh produce in their meals, and to educate students about good nutrition and the New Jersey agricultural industry.
For farmers, the program is a marketing opportunity to strengthen the relationship between their farm and community.
For schools to be accepted into the program, they must administer the National School Lunch Program and participate in Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week September 22 to26 and National Farm to School Month October 2014. Over the course of the growing season, schools will serve Jersey Fresh produce and promote the consumption of the produce.
For farmers, they also must participate in Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week and National Farm to School Month. They must be a licensed Jersey Fresh farmer and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) — certified farm. Farmers will provide schools with an anticipated list of their Jersey Fresh produce and work collaboratively with them to expand the Farm to School program.
The goal of the Jersey Fresh Farm to School initiative is to teach children where their food comes from by serving them local produce and growing it themselves in school gardens.
More information is online at nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/fn/childadult/farm_to_school.html.
