Metuchen schools earn Sustainable Jersey award; expands food‑recovery and tree‑planting programs

The Metuchen Public School District was named the 2025 recipient of the Green Team Collaboration Award by Sustainable Jersey, district officials told the Metuchen Board of Education on Oct. 28.

The award recognizes districtwide partnerships and sustainability programming. "It takes a village," said Kate Lemerick, the district STEM supervisor, in accepting the honor and describing collaboration with the Metuchen Environmental Commission and the Shade Tree Commission.

The presentation cataloged ongoing programs the district said contributed to the award. A food‑recovery initiative with Share My Meals and the First Presbyterian food pantry has recovered 485 meals and 611 pounds of food and, the presenters said, prevented an estimated 2,443 pounds of CO2 emissions; more than 25 community volunteers have assisted with pickups and deliveries. Sarah Tadde of the food pantry told the board those meals are delivered to a supportive‑housing building in Edison called Amendola’s Crossing, run by Mission First Housing, which serves residents who are leaving homelessness and often lack transportation and cooking capacity.

The district also highlighted its Tree Ambassadors program, which Lemerick said has worked closely with Shade Tree Commission members. Dr. Ken Salmon of the Shade Tree Commission recounted the program’s youth focus and noted the Tree Ambassadors recently received the top achievement award from the New Jersey Urban and Community Forestry Program. Samuel, a student Tree Ambassador, told the board the program gives students hands‑on experience planting and caring for trees and helps foster long‑term community stewardship.

District staff described several practical steps tied to the award: planned tree plantings under a Trees for Schools grant, professional development for teachers, volunteer opportunities to expand meal pickups (including adding Friday pickups in addition to Wednesday runs), and school‑level share tables to reduce food waste. Speakers invited residents to volunteer and to drop donations at the food pantry, and they said district leaders will post further information on the district website.

The board recognized the work of students, staff and community partners and noted the award will be shared across schools and borough venues.

For more information the district said it will post materials and volunteer opportunities on metutcheonschools.org and on individual school pages.