
Farm to Schools is Taking Root
My name is Denise Capoano. I am a Sodexo-Philadelphia Dietetic Intern. My concentration is Wellness and I am one of the founding members of the Farm to School Committee at the School District of the Chathams in Chatham, NJ. The gardens at Chatham High School and Chatham Middle School grew abundantly over the summer months. For the past several weeks I have been weeding and harvesting the vegetables with other members of our committee. When the students return to school, they will participate in many educational Farm to School activities.
For the Superintendent of School’s “Welcome Back To School” luncheon, the cabbage and carrots were harvested to make a coleslaw. In addition, the school district chef made Kale Chips for the invited guests of principals and new teachers which took place on August 23rd. The food harvested from the garden is used to supplement the lunch program as well as the salad bar being offered to students.
Recycling of food waste is a priority within the district. This week, we are ready to “launch” the Rocket. The Rocket is a high tech, mechanical composter. The composter will help foster awareness of food waste. The food waste will be collected from preparing the lunch and the students will separate and collect their food waste after lunch.
I am very committed to Farm to School and to the connection of the classroom to our outside learning environment. Sodexo has afforded me the opportunity to utilize my Wellness concentration as well as my Community rotation to assist at the School District of the Chathams Farm to School initiative.
My name is Denise Capoano. I am a Sodexo-Philadelphia Dietetic Intern. My concentration is Wellness and I am one of the founding members of the Farm to School Committee at the School District of the Chathams in Chatham, NJ. The gardens at Chatham High School and Chatham Middle School grew abundantly over the summer months. For the past several weeks I have been weeding and harvesting the vegetables with other members of our committee. When the students return to school, they will participate in many educational Farm to School activities.
For the Superintendent of School’s “Welcome Back To School” luncheon, the cabbage and carrots were harvested to make a coleslaw. In addition, the school district chef made Kale Chips for the invited guests of principals and new teachers which took place on August 23rd. The food harvested from the garden is used to supplement the lunch program as well as the salad bar being offered to students.
Recycling of food waste is a priority within the district. This week, we are ready to “launch” the Rocket. The Rocket is a high tech, mechanical composter. The composter will help foster awareness of food waste. The food waste will be collected from preparing the lunch and the students will separate and collect their food waste after lunch.
I am very committed to Farm to School and to the connection of the classroom to our outside learning environment. Sodexo has afforded me the opportunity to utilize my Wellness concentration as well as my Community rotation to assist at the School District of the Chathams Farm to School initiative.