Linden Public Schools focuses on the importance of teaching our students in making informed food choices, developing healthy eating and how to achieve proper physical activity habits. Linden food services provider Pomptonian took the initiative to further educate Linden students on nutrition education and how a food plate should look when complete by incorporating a Farm Stand in the schools.
A highlight in the Linden Public School district has been the “Move More” program which is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the New York Jets sponsored “Jets Play 60 Eat Right”. The program recognizes schools that support and promote healthier food options, increased opportunities for physical activity, and efforts to promote overall student wellness. Linden High School’s Food Service and the Athletic department partnered in participating in this program and were selected as one of the three Division Champion schools for the 2016-2017 school year.A part of the program is the Farm Stand which is at every school and is available with each meal offered. The Pomptonian Farm Stand includes vegetables from five specific sub groups each week (Dark Green, Red/Orange, Beans/Peas, Starchy, and Others). Linden students are encouraged to take all the items that make up a balanced meal. The students learned that to be considered a meal it must contain a minimum 1/2 cup serving of fruit or vegetable. The students look forward to the fruit of the month and sometimes there are surprises because the fruit that is highlighted is not something that they are familiar with at home. Pomptonian makes an effort to bring in different fruits and vegetables for children to touch, smell, and/or taste. At Linden Public Schools we believe this is a good way to introduce our students from Pre-k to the faculty and staff to foods from around the world right here in Linden. These items are offered on our Farm Stand. Linden Public Schools along with Pomptonian, understand what our students eat in the lunchroom today will have an impact on how they make food choices in the future.
(above) Linden School No. 6 Pomptonian employees Anna Lyga, Theresa Lech, and Frances Fortunate with the assistance of School No. 6 Kindergarten students Julia Hall , Ethan Garcia, Marsellis Chandler, and Julia Hall ,Claire McCoy help assemble the Farmers Market at Linden School No. 6 with Pomptonian Operations Manager Cindy Sue Schiller and Pomptonian Food Service Director Marcia Morgan.
Photo by Linden Public Schools.
