Medford Schools receive health awards

All five of the elementary schools within the Medford Township Public School District were honored by both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the state Department of Agriculture for their ongoing efforts aimed at improving the health of their students and the community.

Steven Bergonzoni, USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Karen Krawczun, state Department of Agriculture and Assemblywoman Maria Rodriguez Gregg were in attendance for the awards presentation on
Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the Medford Township Board of Education Office. The principals of Milton H. Allen School, Chairville School, Cranberry Pines School, Kirby’s Mill School and Taunton Forge School were each presented with a recognition plaque, a legislative resolution and a $500 award for their work to offer healthy and nutritious food choices for school lunches.

Retired district cafeteria manager, Charlene Zimmerman, was instrumental in submitting the application to the HealthierUS School Challenge, a voluntary program open to schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program. Only 68 schools in New Jersey have met the criteria for achievement in this multi-tiered program.