Youth Farmstands PromoteFarm-to-Cafeteria, Food Security &

Economic Development inAt-Risk Communities

The Seeds to Success Youth Farmstand Project

Luanne J. Hughes, MS, RD

Family & Community Health Sciences Educator

Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Gloucester County

hughes@njaes.rutgers.edu

First Things First…A Definition

• Farmstands: Throughout New Jersey, roadside stands pop up during spring, summer and autumn.

• Farmstands vary significantly…from more“sophisticated” standslike this to mere tableswith umbrellas!

Welcome to Our Farmstands…Youth Farmstands!

RCE Youth Farmstand Program

• A multi-faceted program that’s designed to: – Support local farmers– Increase work readiness & life

skills in at-risk youth – Build food security and

healthier, stronger communities

• We’re not just a youth employment program!

Why Farmstands?

• Rural-turning-suburban county of 329 square miles with 24 municipalities

• Fastest growing county in NJ• Fastest growing municipality on the

east coast • 160+ farms totaling more than 11,500

acres in farmland preservation• Agriculture is an $850 million industry.

The contrasts in our county afford great opportunity….

Everyone Benefits

Youth: • Workforce readiness skills• “Work ready” labor pool

for entry level jobs• Knowledge of agriculture

& food systems• Nutrition and food safety

education • Awareness of employment

pathways in agriculture

Communities:• Affordable, quality produce in

convenient locations • Food stamps (SNAP)

accepted• FMNP vouchers accepted

(WIC & Seniors)• Economic development

Local Farmers:• New markets • Market research• Pool of future employees

Program Benefits

Youth Partners

Workforce Skills (SCANS) Life Skills

Entrepreneurial Orientation

Farmstand Worker Certificate

Developmental Assets

Local Farmers

New/Expanded Markets

Increased ProfitLocal Market

ResearchJersey Fresh Promotion

Communities

Quality Produce

Nutrition & Food Prep Education

Voucher Acceptance

ResidentsEconomic

Development

Improved Labor Pool

Increased Tax Base

Positive Community

Image

Our Kids & Our Communities…

• Seeds to Success targets 3 at-risk communities in Gloucester County, Southern New Jersey

• Glassboro, Paulsboro, Woodbury:

– Top 3 communities where food stamp recipients reside

– ≥50% residents at or below poverty level

• Youth partners are all special needs youth

Outreach, Outreach, Outreach!• Seeds to Success is the largest local youth farmstand

initiative in the state, employing up to 50 youth, 6 supervisors and 3 managers annually at 3 locations in Gloucester County, NJ.

• Participants receive hourly salaries(minimum wage+) and participatein profit sharing at season’s end.

• Seeds to Success is a collaborative effort between RCE and representatives from 70+community groups, agencies, municipalities and school districts.

More Outreach…

• The agribusiness community benefits by the farmstand purchasing an average of $13,000 in locally produced goods each year, which are purchased by residents in 3 at-risk communities.

• 15-20% of annual sales are attributed to consumers who redeem FMNP produce vouchers.

How Farmstands “Work” for Youth?• Youth experience owning

business

– Youth as “partners”

– Supervisors as “instructors”

• Youth paid hourly wage & share profits

• Educational components

– School-based education

– Farmstand training

– Farmstand operations

– Summer enrichment

School-Based Education

• Nutrition• Produce preparation• Safe food handling • Produce identification • Business math • Banking procedures• Character education

Farmstand Training

• Customer service • Cash register operation • WIC/senior vouchers • Weights & measures • Banking procedures• Farmstand safety• Purchasing & inventory• Produce identification • Produce preparation• Workplace expectations

Farmstand Operations

• Youth make operational decisions

• Learn-by-doing approach– Purchasing– Pricing– Display– Inventory– Promotion– Market research– Customer service

Summer Enrichment

• Agriculture & food systems• Produce identification• Career planning• Nutrition• Goal-setting • Decision-making• Resume writing • Interviewing• Field trips

Funding…

Over the past 7 years, Seeds to Success has been funded through a variety of different mechanisms:

• USDA CYFAR (Children, Youth and Families At Risk) New Communities Project 5-year renewable grant

• Valero Benefit for Children grant

• NJDA “Jersey Fresh” grants

• Glassboro Neighborhood Preservation Funding Program

• Glassboro School District

• County of Gloucester

Need More Information?

Luanne Hughes, MS, RD: hughes@njaes.rutgers.edu