2002 Youth Farmstand Project "Open for Business"

TRENTON - Just in time for New Jersey's peak season, the State Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) announced its three farmstands offering fruit and produce, are "open for business."

Through a cooperative effort with Rutgers University, the JJC has begun selling local "Jersey Fresh" produce in Camden, Jersey City and Egg Harbor, Atlantic County through the 2002 Youth Farmstand Program. Juveniles who have been adjudicated by the New Jersey Family Court System are learning important business skills and providing a community service as a result of a collaboration between the State Juvenile Justice Commission and Rutgers' New Jersey Urban Ecology Program.

"The juveniles participating in this program have made mistakes. The Youth Farmstand Project allows them to provide a service to their community while developing skills to help them succeed upon their release. By giving them the tools they need to succeed, we increase the likelihood that they will lead productive lives when they return home instead of returning to the correctional system," said Howard L. Beyer, Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Commission. "The business skills that these young people learn by operating a farmstand can apply to any retail job and provide these young people with experience they can use to help find employment when they return to their communities."

Fresh fruits and vegetables are available at the Rutgers University Camden Campus, Fifth Street between Cooper Street and the Ben Franklin Bridge on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. In Jersey City, juveniles take orders from employees at the Hudson County Court House every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The farmstand in Egg Harbor, Atlantic County is located at the Christ Wesleyan Church Parking Lot at the intersection of Philadelphia and Duerer Streets. The stand operates on Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

"We're very excited to partner with the Juvenile Justice Commission to help adjudicated youth develop entrepreneurial skills and bring Jersey Fresh produce to urban areas across the state. For us, it is an example of how Rutgers University can partner with state government for the betterment of our youth," said Dr. Michael W. Hamm, Chair, Rutgers Department of Nutritional Sciences.

The fruits and vegetables are provided by local New Jersey farmers. This project provides affordable, nutritious food for communities, while expanding markets for New Jersey's agricultural communities.

The juveniles participating in the Youth Farmstand Program attend a seven day training course provided by the Urban Ecology Program at Rutgers which focuses on nutrition, customer relations, agriculture and food systems, produce handling and sanitation, career counseling, resume writing, public speaking, team building, cooking, marketing, pricing the produce, and presentation of the stand.

Students are responsible for all aspects of the stand operation including working with supervisors to order and price the produce, operate a cash box and maintain financial records, and market their stands. Students will be tested at the completion of the program to see if they have improved in math skills, reading, nutrition concepts and business skills. They will learn how these skills relate to operating a successful small business while learning to appreciate the values of hard work, responsibility and education.

This is the second year that the JJC has participated in this program. The young people participating in the farmstand program are from Residential Community Homes operated by the Juvenile Justice Commission and are lower level offenders who are preparing to return to their communities at the completion of their sentences. Juveniles are supervised by trained staff at all times.

For more information on the JJC, please visit www.njjjc.com