FARM-TO-SCHOOL: Pennington’s Fairgrown Farm is launching a collaborative program with Princeton Public Schools, and others, which could fund some agricultural education programs in the schools. Shown are members of the Fairgrown staff at the farm. (Photo courtesy of Fairgrown Farm)

By Wendy Greenberg

Princeton Public Schools (PPS) and Fairgrown Farm in Pennington are collaborating to launch a new weekly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) pickup program at Princeton Middle School (PMS). This partnership will create a direct connection between local farms and the district’s students while helping to fund agricultural education across the school system.

Beginning on April 7, community members can pick up weekly farm shares every Tuesday from 2 to 5 p.m. at PMS, 217 Walnut Lane, East Wing.

Through the program, 10 percent of all farm share funds will be reinvested into “farm-to-school” programming for Princeton students in grades K–12, according to the district and farm owner James Klett.  While the pickup location is at the middle school, the funding generated by the program will support educational experiences across the entire district. Not only can PPS parents pick up produce during a trip PMS, but community members can also use the middle school as a pickup point, knowing a portion of funding will go the schools.

The educational component is important to the farm, said Klett, adding, “e were wondering how to balance a decline in grant funding for educational programs in the schools.” The pilot program launches first in Princeton, then a week later at Hopewell Elementary School, and a week after that in Montgomery Township schools. Klett said such a partnership has not been done in New Jersey before; he doesn’t believe it has been done in the U.S.

From the schools’ viewpoint, “We are hoping that the CSA at PMS will help support student understanding of food systems,” said Jacqueline Katz, K-12 science supervisor, in an email.  The topic is included in the curriculum, which offers a Kitchen Science elective at the middle school.

Moreover, the district is launching a new food science course for students enrolled in the multiple disabilities/autism program  at Princeton High School, said Katz. “The CSA will provide an opportunity to explore local foods as well as seasonality in New Jersey,” Katz said. “It also allows our students to explore the difference between organic and sustainable farming practices.”

Both Klett and Katz noted that their hope is that students will be able to volunteer at the distribution to connect with community members as well as the Fairgrown employees. 

Joining the Fairgrown CSA means signing up for a weekly subscription to pick up local and seasonal produce, right from the growing source, but at a convenient pickup place at the school. Fairgrown, with its 40 partner farms, is the only year-round CSA in New Jersey, so there is a wide diversity of crops, said Klett. Members receive a weekly selection of in-season produce and also enjoy free on-farm pick-your-own access and weekend educational events, according to the school district information.

The PPS site (princetonk12.org) outlines a “Veggie share” ($28 for seven different crops per box, which includes farm membership) — and the option to add other selections like milk, bread, eggs, herbs, flowers, and more. There is a bar code to scan to sign up as well.

The initiative represents a new model piloted by Fairgrown Farm to expand farm-to-school opportunities as federal funding for these programs becomes more limited. By linking community food purchases directly to educational programming, the program creates a sustainable pathway for schools to continue connecting students with local agriculture.

Potential programming funded through the initiative may include student field trips to Fairgrown Farm and partner farms, in-school farmer visits, apple tastings, cider press demonstrations, and locally grown produce integrated into school cafeteria meals.

Visiting the schools is not new for Fairgrown Farm — it set up a cider pressing demonstration assembly last year, as well as an apple tasting in the fall for all elementary students.

“This (CSA-school) partnership creates a simple way for families to support both local agriculture and agricultural education,” said Klett. “Every farm share purchased helps bring real farming experiences and fresh local food directly into the school community.

“This is a way our farm can fundraise money to do valuable educational work, and work to get a sustainable funding source.”

Anyone interested in participating can sign up at Fairgrownfarm.com. For questions, email CSA@fairgrownfarm.com.