New Jersey Partners
New Jersey’s farm to school efforts were launched in 2008 through a statewide collaboration of non-profits, state agencies, schools, educators, parents and most importantly, farmers. With over 700 school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program, farm to school efforts in the Garden State can range from school garden education that connects to the classroom, school visits to local farms, and taste tests using locally grown New Jersey produce.
In the 2013-14 school year, New Jersey hosted its first FoodCorps service members, who now serve across the state in eight counties, bringing farm to school “boots on the ground” service to students ranging from pre-school to high school. In 2014, five farm to school bills were signed into law, creating momentum in the move to teach students where their food comes from and to highlight New Jersey agriculture.