Official Site of The State of New Jersey

(DELAWARE TWP.) - The New Jersey Department of Agriculture presented Delaware Township School, located in Hunterdon County, the “Best of Farm to School Award” during a visit to the school. The award recognizes exemplary efforts to connect local food into cafeterias while also integrating agriculture into the learning experience for students. The presentation took place during the celebration of the 16th annual Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week and Fourth Annual Ag Literacy Week being held September 22-26.

“Delaware Township School is an outstanding example of the Farm to School purpose. By tying agriculture and nutritional education and embracing agriculture as an everyday part of the community where their students live, the school has earned this recognition,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn. “By using hands on learning, farmer presentations, including farm visits, and incorporating Jersey Fresh and school-grown produce in their menus, students are able to see the process of growing and harvesting the food they get to enjoy and learn the importance of healthy-eating habits while developing an appreciation of where their food comes from.

The Delaware Township School was recognized for their commitment to connecting students to New Jersey agriculture with educational emphasis on community support, healthy eating habits, and the importance of supporting local farmers. Delaware Township School’s   efforts to include daily activities, farm visits, farmer presentations, school-grown produce, animal care, and more have made agriculture a crucial part of student life. They also offer many programs such as Garden Club where students learn to plant, grow, and harvest food; as well as their Crop Box program that emphasizes the importance of community by offering school-grown produce to local neighbors.

“Delaware Township School benefits from being part of a rural farm community. Our local farm, Sweet Valley, has been instrumental in supplying us with fresh produce for our school cafeteria. We also are fortunate to have many volunteers who help maintain our gardens and supervise our students with their recycling and TerraCycling efforts”, said Delaware Township School Assistant Principal Valerie Wheatley. “The food waste that we collect is shared with home flocks and farm animals as well as composted for our gardens.  We have been utilizing a hydroponic tower to grow greens and starter plants and our newest effort which is being supported by the Department of Agriculture is to have a greenhouse in the Kitchen Garden to extend our growing season."

The school highlights daily Jersey Fresh items on their menu, often partnering with neighboring farms, and participating in taste-testing events chef events, and other educational opportunities for students to gain the full seed-to-table experience. Through a Green Team comprised of parents, teachers, volunteers, and Board members, the Delaware Township School is able to remain committed to incorporating agriculture into the everyday life of students, while simultaneously emphasizing community relationships and focus on nutritional Jersey Fresh ingredients.

Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week was designated as the last week of each September by a law signed in 2010. During this week, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture showcases schools that connect with New Jersey farmers to purchase local produce for school meals to increase student consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and integrate agriculture into their curriculums.

Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week celebrates the partnerships being built between New Jersey farmers and schools which encourage schools to purchase produce from local farmers to incorporate into meals, creating healthier eating habits, a better understanding of local agriculture, and agricultural educational experiences.

New Jersey schools that entered the Farm to School Recognition Program for the current school year were required to show evidence of working with farmers and the community to ensure students have access to healthy Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables in their school cafeterias and classrooms. School gardens are an integral part of Farm to School activities and provide hands-on education for students to connect to the state’s agricultural history and learn healthy, lifelong eating habits.

To learn more, visit www.farmtoschool.nj.gov.