A Joint Resolution designating Wednesday of "Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week" as "School Garden Day in NJ."

Whereas, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that, in New Jersey, 34 percent of children aged two to five, and 24 percent of children in grades nine through 12, are overweight or obese; and

Whereas, Two-thirds of adolescent children in New Jersey do not eat the recommended amount of fresh fruit each day, and 88 percent do not eat the recommended amount of fresh vegetables each day; and

Whereas, Fruits and vegetables are an important part of the diet because they provide essential nutrients and are linked to the prevention of chronic health problems like obesity; and

Whereas, School garden programs are an innovative teaching tool that lets educators incorporate hands-on gardening activities in a diversity of interdisciplinary, standards-based lessons; and

Whereas, School garden programs combat obesity by teaching children about healthy lifestyles that include proper nutrition and physical activity; and

Whereas, Studies have shown that garden-based nutrition education significantly increases children's knowledge of, preference for, and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, and that these benefits continue into adulthood; and

Whereas, In addition to combating obesity, school garden programs have been shown to enhance academic achievement, environmental stewardship, and community and social development among children; and

Whereas, Garden programs can be as small as a few pots of herbs on a windowsill or as large as a half-acre plot of vegetables in a school yard, and are thus flexible enough to fit the needs and resources of every school; and

Whereas, "Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week" takes place the last week of September of each year and highlights the value and importance of agriculture in New Jersey and fresh farm foods for children; and

Whereas, Farm to school programs around the nation have been a success, leading to increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and better overall eating habits among children; and

Whereas, Building on the success of the "Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week" program, the State designates Wednesday of that week as "School Garden Day in NJ" in order to recognize and promote the benefits of gardening in schools and further encourage students to eat fresh fruits and vegetables regularly; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Wednesday of "Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week" is designated as "School Garden Day in NJ" in order to recognize and promote the benefits of gardening in schools and further encourage students to eat fresh fruits and vegetables regularly.

2. The Governor may annually issue a proclamation calling upon school districts to observe "School Garden Day in NJ" with appropriate activities and programs, and to coordinate their activities and programs with those annually planned for "Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week," established pursuant to P.L.2011, c.10 (C.4:10-25.1 et seq.).

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution designates the Wednesday of "Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week" as "School Garden Day in NJ" in order to recognize and promote the benefits of gardening in schools and further encourage students to eat fresh fruits and vegetables regularly. The joint resolution also directs the Governor to annually issue a proclamation calling upon school districts to observe "School Garden Day in NJ" with appropriate activities and programs, and to coordinate their activities and programs with those annually planned for "Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week."