By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
The seeds for the Lawrenceville Elementary School’s garden were planted eight years ago, and now the fruits of that labor have been recognized by the New Jersey Farm to School Network and the magazine Edible Jersey.
The Lawrenceville Elementary School earned honorable mention in the inaugural 2012 School Garden of the Year contest, sponsored by the network and the magazine to celebrate the second annual National Farm to School Month. The school’s efforts were recognized at a special ceremony Oct. 18.
The Farm to School program encourages school district food service providers to use locally grown fruits and vegetables and incorporate them into the lunch menu. It increases opportunities to link local farmers with the schools.
Beth Feehan, director of the New Jersey Farm to School Network, Edible Jersey publisher Nancy Brannigan Painter, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher, U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, farmer Pam Mount and Superintendent of Schools Crystal Edwards were on hand at the ceremony, which was held next to the garden boxes at the school on Craven Lane.
Ms. Mount, who worked on the school garden project with Mikey Azzara, the former director of the Northeast Organic Farming Association, and Steven Doerler of Doerler Landscapes, told the children that eating the right kinds of fruits and vegetables is necessary to make them grow up to be strong, healthy and smart.
”One of the most important things that big people are worried about little people like you is that you grow up to be strong, healthy and smart. To be strong, healthy and smart, you have to eat the right fruits and vegetables,” Ms. Mount said.
Ms. Feehan, the director of the New Jersey Farm to School Network, said it requires people like Ms. Mount and Mr. Azzara to put in the time and effort to create the garden space where the children can learn about good food.
Commending the Lawrenceville Elementary School, Mr. Fisher, the state agriculture commissioner, told the children that their school garden is the second-best one in the New Jersey. There were 165 entries in the contest.
Rep. Holt also praised the Lawrenceville Elementary School students and their garden.
”This really is a classroom. I can’t think of a better place to learn how food comes about, where it comes from and how things grow. This is not just any school garden. This is an award-winning school garden. It is a statewide leader (and) it is because you have kept it up,” Rep. Holt said.
Ms. Edwards, the superintendent of schools, told the children that one of her first experiences upon arriving in the school district was to visit the school garden seven years ago. After the students dug and picked out good vegetables, they all went into the school cafeteria. The students made “the best salad” that she had ever eaten, she said.
”I am looking forward to my next great meal with you in the garden,” Ms. Edwards said.

