The New Jersey Department of Agriculture presented Lord Stirling Community School in New Brunswick with the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program VIP Award during a school assembly on Mar. 24.
The award recognizes schools participating in the United States Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program that excel at promoting healthy eating habits among students. Lord Stirling Community School was chosen for first place due to its extensive efforts involving the entire school community in wellness activities.
“When schools like Lord Stirling use the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program as part of a comprehensive educational program, it changes how students and their families think about food,” said Ed Wengryn, Secretary of Agriculture for New Jersey. “Programs like this encourage students to expand their dietary habits by including more fresh fruits and vegetables, which can enhance their overall learning experience now, as well as leading to healthier lifestyle choices in the future. Congratulations to the students, staff and administration on creating such an extensive program.”
Dr. Aubrey Johnson, Superintendent of New Brunswick Public Schools, said: “Studies have shown that healthy eating is associated with better grades, improved memory and alertness, and quicker information processing. This motivated Lord Stirling Community School to join the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program. I’m delighted by the knowledge gained by our students, faculty, and staff, and by their enthusiastic participation in the program.”
Lord Stirling serves locally grown produce such as apples, cranberries, butternut squash, cucumbers, yams, Asian pears, and blueberries at least 12 times a year through FFVP snacks. The school also participates in initiatives like Farm to School Week each September—featuring lessons about farmers markets—and events such as National Garden Month.
Kevin Jarido, principal of Lord Stirling Community School said: “We were motivated to become involved in this New Jersey Department of Agriculture program because of the benefits our students derive from eating a healthy diet. Our students, faculty, and staff all have learned so much and have really embraced the process – and we’re delighted to be enjoying this level of success.”
Dr. Patty Bennett from USDA Food & Nutrition Service added: “Congratulations to the students and staff of Lord Stirling Community School for winning this year’s NJDA Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program Very Impressive Produce award. Providing fresh fruits and vegetables helps to keep students healthy while also providing an opportunity to teach them about health.”
For this school year’s FFVP initiative across New Jersey—a state-wide effort managed by the Department—the USDA has allocated $5.4 million so that nearly 97 thousand students receive fresh produce along with nutrition education during class time.
Nearly four out of five participating schools link their FFVP activities with programs like Jersey Fresh Farm to School according to official sources. The department operates throughout New Jersey offering services including food safety inspections; marketing programs such as Jersey Fresh; farmland preservation; animal health support; pest management; consumer protection; academic collaborations with Rutgers University; federal partnerships with USDA—all aimed at enhancing public service according to its official website.
