| Upcoming Events |
September 26-30, 2011
NJDA
Jersey Fresh Farm To School Week
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October 2, 2011
NJ Farm To School Network
Family Barbecue Fundraiser at Fernbrook Farms
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October 2011
National Farm To School
National Farm To School Month
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From the Desk of Beth Feehan:
It is hard to believe that summer is rounding the corner to fall (and we've just experienced a hurricane like Irene...). As we face cooler weather and a new school year, we're excited for the upcoming events scheduled to take place this autumn around Farm to School.
Due to legislation passed in 2010 that was introduced by Assemblyman John McKeon (D-27) designating the last week in September as "Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week", schools across the state will offer locally grown produce in school meal programs and highlight the bounty which grows in the Garden State. Learn more below.
Encourage your school district to source local, seasonal products. Check out the Seasonality Chart linked here to see what is in season at this time of year and visit our Distributor Resources link to connect with farmers, distributors and aggregators.
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| KNIFE SKILLS FOR FOOD SERVICE PROFESSIONALS |
Using Local Produce in School Meals
As the trend to offer more locally grown fruits and vegetables in school meals picks up steam, it is apparent that kitchens and their staff have need for more information about handling produce. From ordering and receiving, to washing, prepping and storing, we'll be sharing information in the next two months to help schools make this transition possible and empower school feeding staff to deal with raw, locally grown products.
Rouxbe Cooking School has online classes that anyone, not just professionals, can take part in to learn about all different types of cooking. Their "Handling a Chef's Knife" series is a good starting point for anyone in a school kitchen who hasn't previously handled raw produce and doesn't know how to "prep" fruit and vegetables from scratch. CLICK HERE for video demonstration.
Also, choosing the right knife is important when working with fresh fruits and veg. The National Food Service Management Institute (NSFMI) has resources that are free and can be accessed online at http://nsfmi.org. Check out their chart for basic knife selection - CLICK HERE
Rouxbe will be teaming up with the New Jersey Farm to School Network in September in support of Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week to offer three free memberships. Stay tuned for more information in September's newsletter.
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| JERSEY FRESH FARM TO SCHOOL WEEK |
September 26-30, 2011
The Garden State and New Jersey Schools now have an opportunity each September to bring locally grown produce into schools through the first ever "Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week". Food service directors looking to source local produce for schools can check out the NJF2S Network's distributor and produce aggregator list [CLICK HERE].
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is celebrating "Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week" by putting together marketing materials that will be sent to each school district that participates in the National School Lunch Program. Thinking of hosting an event but not sure how? CLICK HERE to view ideas for hosting an event and sample language for press releases and invitations.
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| OCTOBER IS FARM TO SCHOOL MONTH |
October 2011
On the horizon is the celebration nationwide of October as National Farm to School Month. The resolution to create this momentous event was introduced by New Jersey Congressman Rush Holt, who is a big proponent of supporting local farms in New Jersey.
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The National Farm to School Network just went live with the Farm to School Month website which has tons of resources available to schools across the country. CLICK HERE to learn more.
Stay tuned for the September issue of our newsletter and keep abreast of our website to learn more about events taking place for this first annual, national celebration and to see how your school can work "Farm to School" into the mix. |
The NJ Farm to School Network will be hosting two school garden trainings in October, one in Newark and one in Atlantic County. Stay tuned for more information about all these events.
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| NEW JERSEY FARM TO SCHOOL FAMILY BARBECUE FUNDRAISER |
October 2, 2011
Fernbrook Farms Educational Center, Chesterfield
HELP US CELEBRATE THE FIRST NATIONAL FARM TO SCHOOL MONTH!
Come out for a family day on the farm!
Hay rides, live music and lots of great food including barbecued pork from Beech Tree Farm, Griggstown Farm chicken sausages, locally grown corn and tomatoes, FunniBonz baked beans and much more highlight this fundraiser to benefit the programs of the New Jersey Farm to School Network. Click on the Save the Date for more information.
NJ Farm to School Network hosts school garden trainings, statewide conferences and advocacy for local procurement in schools, improving meals served to children.
NJ Farm to School Network needs your support! Tickets are ON SALE NOW!
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| NATIONAL FARM TO SCHOOL WEBINAR SERIES |
"Lunch Bytes" Monthly Webinar
“Lunch Bytes” is a 20 minute webinar series packed with bits of information related to Farm to School programs and partnerships. Scheduled at 1:00pm ET the second Tuesday of every month, you can easily work it into your routine!
Farm to School for Parents: How To Get Involved
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Agenda:
- Explanation of Farm to School and program examples: It is fine to start small.
- Advice about starting a program or moving a new program forward.
- Create a month-by-month plan or one-year plan.
- What can I do tomorrow?
- Success stories: Parent-led initiatives and where they are now.
A Q&A session will follow the presentation.
The cost is free. REGISTER HERE Back To Top
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| IN CONCLUSION |
We'd love to hear what you are planning for Farm to School Week. Send us an email and let us know. We'd love to feature you in next month's newsletter!
If you would like to know more about the work we do, you have specific questions, or would like to become involved, please visit our website or send us a message at info@njfarmtoschool.org
Sincerely,
Beth Feehan, Director
NJ Farm To School Network
P: (609) 577-5113
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