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Roxbury Schools Free Farmers Market A Success

FES Early Act at Farmers Market

Roxbury Schools Free Farmers Market A Success

ROXBURY, NJ (May 13, 2022) – Roxbury Schools held its first-ever Farmers Market on Saturday, April 30th outside of Eisenhower Middle School and along Eyland Avenue for the Roxbury community and it was a resounding success! The district distributed 1100 reusable produce bags filled with fruits and vegetables to Roxbury families.

“The idea for an event like this stemmed from a conversation one of the district cafeteria aides had with the administration and Maschio’s, Roxbury’s Food Service provider, about food waste and excess produce,” shared Superintendent Dr. Loretta Radulic.

After some further discussions with Maschio’s and one of Maschio’s suppliers, Gargiulo Produce, the district determined that it could hold a Farmer’s Market to give back to the community while promoting healthy living and sustainability with fresh produce.

“An event like this was paid for by our federal reimbursements from the Department of Agriculture,” said Business Administrator Joe Mondanaro.

In the weeks leading up to the event, the K-4 Early Act Clubs created posters and PSAs for their schools for their fellow classmates advertising the event and encouraging them to eat healthily. The K-6 B.A.S.E.S. Program (Before/Aftercare) for the district colored in healthy recipe cards to be shared in each bag.

Volunteers comprised of district administration and staff, board of education members, Maschio’s staff (and their kids), along with RHS Interact Club members helped pack the bags Friday evening. Bags included tri-color organic carrots, tomatoes, mangos, potatoes, clementines, pineapple, and recipe cards.

With a beautiful day on Saturday, the volunteers returned to set up in front of Eisenhower Middle School, which extended to the corner of Bryant Drive and EMS and the Horseshoe Lake side of Eyland Avenue with the event extending an hour until 2 p.m.

“I even filled up my pickup and went over to the lacrosse game at Horseshoe Lake,” said Mondanaro.

This event was such a success thanks to all the volunteers on Saturday as well. “Student volunteers and their parents were amazing. Students and their parents from the Franklin, Kennedy, and Nixon Early Act Clubs held up signs along Eyland Avenue in front of EMS and directed traffic towards us,” explained Mondanaro.

Franklin’s Early Act members took the first shift, which included Jake Colucci, Joseph Cubria, Bronwyn D’Anton, Julia Evans, Londyn Ingram, Olivia Knapik, Brielle Michelson, and Daisy Mickelson under the supervision of their advisor Jennifer Maurer.

Following Franklin was Nixon Elementary School under the leadership of Rebecca Freeborn. She, along with her Early Act Club members: Alley Lemmerman, Durga Canakala, Holly Palen, Jeiden Alvarado, Jessenia Scymanski, Luis Ortiz, William Herrick, and Zoe Rivera, and their parents excitedly flagged down cars and encouraged them to stop for their fruits and vegetables.

The last Early Act shift to cheer on cars passing by was Kennedy School under Sarah Goodyear who worked with Frankie Casendino, Kailyn Grassi, Brielle Prink-Patel, Kaitlyn Skoldberg, Bradley Staples, Connor Ortu, Levi Spencer, and Lianna Delgado.

“Our Farmers Market was a huge success. Board members, staff, students, and parents, working side by side was truly something to behold. The Early Act students and their parent volunteers were amazing and I think they all had fun! It was such as joy to see everyone working together! I am humbled and truly grateful to work in a community that shows up to support each other,” shared Assistant Business Administrator and District Green Team Leader Kathy Kolbusch.

PHOTO ATTACHED (courtesy of Roxbury Schools)

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For more information, contact: Roxbury Community School/Community Relations Coordinator Ann Rhodes at arhodes@roxbury.org or 973-584-7699.

ABOUT ROXBURY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Roxbury Public Schools is a K-12 school district preparing the children of today for tomorrow. As a dynamic and thriving district, in partnership with a supportive and collaborative community, Roxbury Public Schools inspires and empowers all learners to flourish as ethical and global citizens in the 21st century. The district serves students throughout Roxbury Township, New Jersey, including the areas of Landing, Kenvil, Succasunna, Ledgewood, Mount Arlington, Port Morris, Flanders, and Wharton. Connect with us online at www.roxbury.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RoxburyPublicSchools.