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Metuchen district wins Sustainable Jersey Green Team award; food‑recovery program expands
Summary
The Metuchen Public School District received the 2025 Green Team Collaboration Award from Sustainable Jersey and described a food‑recovery partnership that has delivered meals to supportive housing and recovered hundreds of meals and pounds of food, with volunteer opportunities expanding to Fridays.
Metuchen — The Metuchen Public School District announced on Oct. 28 that it received the 2025 Green Team Collaboration Award from Sustainable Jersey, a recognition the superintendent said is given to one New Jersey district each year for strong school‑community partnerships on sustainability.
Kate Lemerick, the district STEM supervisor, described collaborations with the Metuchen Environmental Commission and the Shade Tree Commission, noting that each of the district’s four schools earned bronze or silver certification and that the combined achievement earned a district award. “This recognition highlights our strong partnerships… and shared commitment to sustainability across our schools and the community,” Lemerick said.
Lemerick also detailed a new food‑recovery program run with the First Presbyterian Food Pantry and Share My Meals. The program has recovered 485 meals, 611 pounds of food and—Lemerick said—prevented an estimated 2,443 pounds of CO2 emissions, with more than 25 volunteers participating. Sarah Teddi of the food pantry described how the recovered meals are distributed to residents at a supportive housing building in Edison operated by Mission First Housing, many of whom lack regular transportation or cooking facilities.
Board members praised the district for connecting sustainability efforts to community needs and encouraged increased volunteer participation. Lemerick said the program will add Friday pickups in addition to existing Wednesday operations and invited community members to use a donation box outside the food pantry and to sign up to volunteer.
The board also heard a presentation from the Shade Tree Commission’s Dr. Ken Salmon, who reported that the district’s tree ambassadors program received recognition from the New Jersey Urban and Community Forestry Program and invited student Sam to share his experience planting trees and learning about native species.
Administrators said award materials and program information will be posted on the district website and travel among schools as part of broader outreach. The board expressed appreciation for student leadership and community partnerships that combined curricular learning with sustainability projects.
