New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn visited Timberlane Middle School in Mercer County to celebrate National School Lunch Week. The visit highlighted the school's and Hopewell Valley Regional School District's student meal program, which was recently recognized by the USDA and Action for Healthy Kids with a Healthy Meals Initiative Award for Innovation in the Preparation of School Meals.
Secretary Wengryn was accompanied by USDA staff and other officials. The school features a lunchroom set-up with a farm stand offering fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Today's menu included General Tso chicken with locally grown baby bok choy, grilled chicken tenders, a build-your-own burger station, pasta, pizza, garden salads, and Caesar salads.
"Timberlane Middle School and the Hopewell Valley Regional School District demonstrated today that they are very deserving of their Healthy Meals Initiative recognition by the USDA," Secretary Wengryn said. "By offering a variety of foods with healthy options, schools have the opportunity to begin the process of students engaging in habits that can lead to a lifetime of better health through nutrition."
The district participates in the USDA Department of Defense Direct Delivery Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, using more than $90,000 in commodity funds for fresh produce for the 2024-2025 school year.
"Establishing healthy eating habits at an early age is a key component to leading an active lifestyle," said Superintendent Dr. Rosetta Treece. "Our students have the opportunity to make good choices about what they eat with a wide range of high-quality options available here."
New Jersey schools adhere to USDA nutrition standards, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk options while limiting unhealthy fats and calories.
“The USDA works with states and school nutrition professionals to provide kids with tasty and nutritious school meals to support their health and well-being,” said Diana Limbacher from USDA Food and Nutrition Service. “We commend the New Jersey Department of Agriculture for their strong school meals program.”
National School Lunch Week promotes participation in the National School Lunch Program. In New Jersey, approximately 670,000 children take part in this program administered by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
