UFRSD eyes state partnership with Farm to School program

BY MAUREEN DAYE Correspondent

Superintendent of Schools Richard M. Fitzpatrick is excited about the attention the Upper Freehold Regional School District is receiving from the state Department of Agriculture regarding the Farm to School program.

The UFRSD has an active FFA chapter and is not far from Trenton, so the Department of Agriculture is interested in considering partnering with the district, according to Lynne Richmond, the public information officer for the Department of Agriculture. Earlier in the 2012-13 school year, an initial meeting was held to discuss the issue. In April, agriculture officials and district administrators spoke again in what Richmond said was a very positive meeting.

The agriculture officials who attended the April meeting were Rose Tricario, director, Division of Food and Nutrition Services, and Nancy Trivette, agricultural education program leader.

During the course of the meetings, the UFRSD was represented by Fitzpatrick, Chartwells Dining Services (the food provider for the district) and students, among others.

“I am very excited about the whole concept” of the Farm to School program, Fitzpatrick said. “I would love for the kids to know how good food can be if you try it. We have roots in agriculture in our area. Since this is a farm area with a tremendous history of horticulture, it is the perfect place. We want to get kids used to eating a large array of fresh vegetables. I would love to be a part of it, and we will look at the issues that exist with this and work with the district.”

In the Department of Agriculture Farm to School program, schools throughout New Jersey can source more than 100 types of Jersey Fresh produce grown in the Garden State. Opportunities exist for New Jersey farmers to provide agricultural products to school food service departments throughout the growing season. The object of serving healthful meals in school cafeterias is to improve student nutrition, provide healthy and nutritional education opportunities that will last a lifetime and support local farmers.

Additionally, the Farm to School program includes school garden activities which help teach students where food comes from by growing it themselves. Students benefit by learning the science behind farming and the nutritional values of fresh products, as well as gaining a greater understanding and appreciation of the environment.

Educators can use school garden programs to teach any subject — math, science, language arts, health and nutrition, or social studies. Finally, Farm to School programs create a sense of community for all involved with the related activities, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Fitzpatrick expressed concern about federal guidelines that might make it problematic to offer foods that are not from the school lunch program due to potential contamination issues from any food that has not been properly washed.

Issues about the school food program arose after changes were made to school lunch guidelines at the federal level, according to Fitzpatrick. Some students in the district found that the new regulations regarding portion sizes did not sustain them for the day and they said they were still hungry.

Fitzpatrick said he was impressed with the students at the meetings that involved state officials.

“The kids were eloquent,” the superintendent said. “They came dressed in suits and ties and showed the size of lunch. A sandwich was smaller than a boy’s hand.”

The superintendent’s past experience helps him view the Farm to School program as a wonderful opportunity.

“I did something similar in Boston years ago, in which we planted 25 vegetable beds on the school’s front lawn and provided all of the produce to homeless folks,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was a very successful project and the kids loved it. So I am very excited about doing something like this again and getting the school involved and some of our farmers who work so hard and deserve recognition.”