Trenton Leads Coordinated Response to Food Insecurity (Mercer County)

Although surrounded by farms, Trenton is considered a food desert. The city only has three grocery stores—and most Trenton residents do not live within half a mile of them. Residents must either find transportation–often requiring multiple bus routes–or shop at local corner stores lacking fresh produce and other nutritious options. In response to the problem, the Trenton Health Team, an innovative non-profit collaboration, convened a working group of 50+ organizations called the Trenton Food Stakeholders. Co-facilitated by Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, the group is working together to improve the regional food system. 

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Readington Township Creates Municipal Water Story (Hunterdon County)

Readington Township has a long history of protecting and restoring the municipality’s natural resources. This year the township distinguished itself as a leader again with the development of the 2022 Readington Township Municipal Water Story. The document summarizes Readington’s current strategy for preserving and protecting the freshwater supply and embracing the goal of clean water for future generations. Recognizing the critical significance of water-based initiatives to every one of Readington’s sustainability goals, the township decided in 2021, to establish an advisory committee focused on clean water preservation and related sustainability issues.

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Veterans Memorial Family School Garden Grows Food and Horizons (Camden County)

Located on the blacktop behind Veterans Memorial Family School is a long row of container pots that have provided the nearly 500 students, in grades pre-K-8 school, a taste of fresh tomatoes, peppers, kale, broccoli, peas and the opportunity to learn how to grow their own healthy food. This is important because Camden is a designated food desert with only one supermarket available to feed its 70,000+ residents. Three teachers at Veterans Memorial Family School have planned, funded and labored, often long after the school bell, to grow a school garden that is broadening students’ horizons about what is possible for health and food in the community.

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Penns Grove High School Opens Aquaponics Lab (Salem County)

In October 2022, Penns Grove High School officially celebrated the opening of its innovative aquaponics lab. Located in the greenhouse behind the high school, the lab combines both aquaculture and agriculture production in one unit. The system has the capacity to produce over 100 different vegetables 19 times a year and raise over 200 food grade fish four times a year. Dr. Zenaida Cobian, superintendent of Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District, said that “the aquaponics lab incorporates another level of knowledge for our students on the production of plants in their school. This allows students to apply what they have learned to recreate a similar environment in their homes.

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New Year, New Opportunity to Save Energy

Are you Looking for ways to make your building more energy efficient in 2023? Municipalities and schools can be models of energy efficiency for their community by maintaining high efficiency in their facilities. Most buildings have room for improvement in efficiency, but the specific opportunities are not always obvious.

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Sustainability Heroes

September

Kelly Stone


K-5 STEM Teacher, George L. Catrambone Elementary School

October

Vicky Binetti


Chair, Washington Township Green Team and Environmental Commission

November

Laura Bagwell


Chair, Eatontown Borough Green Team 

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