Senator Oroho's 'Farm to School' Expansion Bills Signed into Law

In an effort to bring more attention to the Farm to School program that links up local farmers with school cafeterias and extend the service throughout the state, Senator Steven Oroho put three bills before state legislature that will soon take effect.

Acting Governor Kim Guadagno signed the bills -- which allow for private funding of the program, require it to be prominently promoted on the state’s website and commend successful programs in schools throughout the state -- into law Monday.

“The ‘Farm to School’ program provides students with healthy, nutritious meals while at the same time giving a boost to the local farmers in our communities who grow these crops,” said Oroho, R-Sussex, Warren, Morris. “By better promoting the program and allowing outside investment we can hopefully get even more ‘Jersey Fresh’ produce into cafeterias across the state. Bringing attention to and expanding this valuable program will given more students access to healthy lunch choices and help foster a deeper appreciation and knowledge of New Jersey’s important agriculture industry.”

The Farm to School program brings in local offerings that can cover an entire meal tray. That is, local produce can be used in the wheat for crusts, turkey for sandwiches or beans for soups and chili. The program also offers hands-on learning activities for children such as gardening, culinary classes and farm visits.

According to the USDA, 44 percent of public school districts have an existing farm-to-school program, with 13 percent anticipating implementation in the near future. For more information on the program, interested persons may send questions to farmtoschool@fns.usda.gov.