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Whelan Applauds Program To Bring Fresh Produce To Schools

Twelve District 2 Schools to Participate in Federally-Funded Program

TRENTON – State Senator Jim Whelan today applauded the announcement that 143 schools Statewide – and 12 schools in his legislative district – have been chosen to participate in a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-funded initiative to help get fresh produce in schools.

“There’s no question that healthy, nutritious meals play an important part in ensuring our kids have the energy they need to get the most out of their education,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic. “Without a proper lunch, kids simply can’t focus on the task of learning, and we want to be able to encourage healthy eating habits from an early age. The USDA-funded Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program gives us the resources we need to nourish students in body and mind.”

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher announced this week that 143 schools in 16 counties had been chosen to participate in the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for the 2011-2012 school year. The number of schools represents an expansion over last year, in which 101 New Jersey schools participated. Of the 143 schools chosen, 12 schools are located in Atlantic City, Pleasantville and Egg Harbor City (list below).

Senator Whelan has been a longtime proponent of ensuring New Jersey’s students have access to healthy, nutritious food. He sponsored a bill, S-2125, establishing the “Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week Program,” to promote the importance of agriculture in New Jersey and establish partnerships between schools and farmers to make locally-grown produce available to students. The bill was signed into law earlier this year.

“Programs like these ensure a market for our State’s hard-working farmers, and ensure kids get the food they need to grow healthy and establish healthy eating practices,” said Senator Whelan. “It’s good for our students, and it’s good for our State’s agricultural economy. I want to thank State Secretary of Agriculture Fisher and the administrators of the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for recognizing the benefits, and promoting healthy, nutritious food options in our State’s schools.”

The list of District 2 schools participating in the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is below:

LIST OF DISTRICT 2 SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN PROGRAM:

Chelsea Heights School, Atlantic City

MLK School, Atlantic City

New Jersey Avenue School, Atlantic City

New York Avenue School, Atlantic City

Richmond Avenue School, Atlantic City

Sovereign Avenue School, Atlantic City

Texas Avenue School, Atlantic City

Uptown Complex, Atlantic City

Venice Park School, Atlantic City

Charles Spragg Elementary School, Egg Harbor City

South Main Street School, Pleasantville

Washington Avenue School, Pleasantville