Lakewood Students Get Fresh Veggies, Fruit Through State Programs

LAKEWOOD, NJ — The Lakewood School District's five elementary schools and its preschool are making sure their students are getting fresh fruits and vegetables through two state programs.

The produce is being provided through the 2021-2022 school year’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which has 202 schools participating this year. The state also has the Farm to School program that connects schools with produce grown in the Garden State.

"The growth of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program helps ensure Jersey Fresh produce is finding its way to more and more schools highlighting what we grow in the Garden State," state Agriculture Secretary Douglas H. Fisher said. "This program aids districts in continuing to offer healthy choices to students so they can incorporate better habits that can have a positive impact throughout their lives."

The agriculture department said participating schools are marking Farm to School Week and featuring "Jersey Tastes" activities, recipes and serving the harvest of the month, the Jersey tomato, along with a variety of Jersey Fresh produce as snacks for students.

Eighty-four percent of the 202 schools have agreed to link their Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and Farm to School Program, and are receiving extra funds, agriculture officials said. The schools must provide Jersey Fresh produce at least six days from September to November and from April to June and must verify where the produce was grown.

The goal of the program is to introduce children to healthy foods, increase their fruit and vegetable consumption, and create improved eating habits.

Clifton Avenue Grade School, Ella G. Clarke School, Oak Street School, Piner Elementary School, Spruce Street School and the Lakewood Early Childhood Center 2 all are participating.

Also participating is Bnos Bina-Toras Imecha, Lakewood, state officials said.