NJ Officials Praise Newark Schools For ‘Excellent’ Lunch Program

NEWARK, NJ — Newark’s public schools have been participating in the National School Lunch Program for more than four decades. And on Friday, the district earned a thumbs-up from state officials for its “exemplary” work – just in time for National School Lunch Week.

New Jersey has more than 800 schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program, which provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.

According to the state department of agriculture, 68 of them are in Newark.

The district also takes part in the School Breakfast Program, along with the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and the Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

“The National School Lunch Program has played a key role in allowing us to meet an essential need for so many in our district,” said Tonya McGill, the Newark Board of Education executive director of the Office of Food and Nutrition.

“We take pride in ensuring that our students have quality and healthy options available to them each day of the week,” McGill added.

On Friday, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) commended Newark, as well as public school districts in Jackson and Bridgeton.

“These school districts along with so many others have maintained a high standard of excellence,” NJDA Secretary Douglas Fisher said. “School meals provide much needed nutrition for students that helps them perform at their highest levels both in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities while forming healthy eating habits for life.”

According to a 2020 study from the Food Research and Action Center, Newark feeds breakfast to nearly 90 percent of its public school students on any given day during the year, ranking the city fifth in the U.S. among large districts.

• See related article: Newark Schools Feed 90 Percent Of Students Breakfast, Study Says
• See related article: Newark Ranks High On National Scorecard For School Breakfast

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