As you may know, Fernbrook is the NJ liaison to the national Farm to School network and one of the founding members of the NJ Farm to School network (info@njfarmtoschool.org). Our goals are to foster good nutrition and knowledge about food in schools through curriculum development, school gardens, linking farmers and schools and advocacy. The following is some information of interest.
Since the 2002 Farm Bill introduced the issue of irradiated beef to Federal School lunch programs, further agreements have been made to allow irradiation of ground beef in school lunches. In addition, there seems to be limited choices to serve poultry products in schools that are free of preservatives, additives and other not so healthy add ons.
We feel it is important to demand of our school officials (boards, superintendents, principals, teachers) that they work closely with food service directors to provide healthy food in our school cafeterias. Food service providers feed millions of children each day and their buying power is enormous. We need new ideas and new distribution models. Our children and our future depend on it.