Good Food Gardens Event in Paterson

Optimum Community recognized students at the Community Charter School of Paterson for their efforts in planting and maintaining a community garden as part of the “Good Food Gardens” initiative sponsored by Optimum Community, the Food Network and Share Our Strength. The students were presented with a $1500 check from Optimum Community for the furtherance of their healthy eating program and a $500 stipend from Share Our Strength towards continued maintenance of the community garden. New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) founder and CEO Bob Guarasci was in attendance and discussed the importance of raising awareness of childhood hunger. Fifth-grade student Samantha DeJesus spoke about the value of the garden to the community. After the check presentation, cooking and nutrition consultant Chef Angie and two students participated in a cooking demonstration and students also prepared a garden salad with produce from their Good Food Garden.