The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has recognized Dogwood Hill Elementary School in Oakland School District, Bergen County, with the "Best in New Jersey Farm to School Award." The award was presented during the school's Farm to School field day and cafeteria visit as part of the 14th annual Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week and Second Annual Ag Literacy Week, taking place from September 23-27.
“Dogwood Hill Elementary School has demonstrated a true commitment to making Farm to School a regular part of their curriculum,” said NJDA Secretary Ed Wengryn. “They work with nearby growers to ensure locally grown food is part of the menu when it is in season, and highlight area farmers with their farmstand in the cafeteria, which is great for students to learn where their food comes from.”
Throughout the year, Dogwood Hill has integrated local produce into its menus monthly, featuring recipes and promotions. The school also runs a farm stand in the cafeteria with locally grown produce and celebrates Farm to School Week and National Farm to School Month with educational activities like "build your own salad day." Additionally, they use a tower garden for educational purposes, including at the cafeteria salad bar, and organize field trips such as visiting Health Barn in Ridgewood for composting and planting lessons.
"The Farm to School initiative started with our PTO donating a tower garden to the school," said Dogwood Hill Principal Sean Bowe. "Through the collaboration of Kelly Bosgra, student council advisor, our student council, and Pomptonian (Food Service), the Farm to School experience has grown into a wonderful learning opportunity for the entire school community."
Schools participating in the Farm to School Recognition Program were required to demonstrate cooperation with farmers and communities for providing healthy Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables. Participating schools include Buena Regional School District, Union City School District, Thomas Dudley School, Nutley School District, Union Township School District, Dover High School District, Woodbridge School District, Cranbury School District, Rahway School District, Highland Park School District, Linden Public Schools District, Bridgeton Public Schools.
These schools will receive promotional material kits including banners, aprons, taste test stickers, posters and seasonality charts. Established by law in 2010 as the last week of each September by law signed in 2010 aims at increasing student consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables through connections between schools and New Jersey farmers.
Farm to school activities involve nutrition education including taste tests with local produce; harvest meals serving products from New Jersey farms; curricular tie-ins connecting cafeterias or gardens; visits teaching how food grows; garden education linking classroom teachings.
Jersey Fresh Farm To Schools Week celebrates partnerships between state farmers encouraging purchase incorporation into meals.
