The New Jersey Department of Agriculture presented Philip’s Academy Charter School in Newark with the “Best in New Jersey Farm to School Award” on the school’s rooftop garden. The presentation kicked off the celebration of the state’s 9th annual Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week -September 23-27.
“Philip’s Academy’s emphasis on food education throughout the school is the reason the school was this year’s winner,” NJDA Secretary Douglas Fisher said. “From growing produce on the rooftop garden, the classroom teaching kitchen, a weekly farmers market for school families and a partnership with AeroFarms, the Philip’s Academy EcoSpaces Education program exemplifies the spirit of this award.”
EcoSpaces Founding Director Frank Mentesana and Team, along with school Principal Yasmeen Sampson, culinary staff and approximately 40 students were on hand to accept the award.
“The EcoSpaces Program a program of Philip’s Education Partners was created at Philip’s Academy, our model school almost 10 years ago to be an integral part of the fabric of the school. ” Mentesana said. “What has been really significant is to see the way the students and staff have embraced the entire philosophy. The ability to have a curriculum that encourages students to incorporate healthy eating habits into their daily routine not only benefits them now, but hopefully well into the future.”
Philip’s Academy Charter School was the model school for the comprehensive food literacy program and made-from-scratch lunch program called EcoSpaces Education. It connects farm to school activities in all aspects of the curriculum and classroom as well as lunchroom settings.
New Jersey schools that entered the Farm to School Recognition Program for the current school year were required to show evidence of working with farmers and the community to ensure students have access to healthy Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables in their school cafeterias and classrooms. School gardens are an integral part of Farm to School activities and provide hands-on education for students to connect to the state’s agricultural history and learn healthy, lifelong eating habits.
