Things get fresh at Tuxedo Park School

TUXEDO PARK — Tuxedo Park School hosted the first farmers market on campus before and after the all school assembly earlier this fall.
Parents and grandparents were able to purchase fresh, locally grown produce. Potatoes, garlic, peppers, tomatoes and flowers that were planted and harvested by TPS students in the school’s garden were sold along with produce grown at other gardens in the region. TPS alumnae Hillary (‘06) and Claire (’09) Lindsay, owners of The Green Onion Farmers Market in Chester, brought along their abundant produce.
Money raised from the sale of TPS produce and flowers will help to buy gift certificates for the Feeding America BackPack Program.
This program, run by the Tuxedo Union students, helps ensure that children have nutritious and easy-to-prepare meals during weekends. The program has helped feed children for 15 years.
“Working in our garden offers our students excellent hands on science opportunities," said TPS Science Chair Elizabeth Betti, who launched the school’s garden. "They collaborate with classmates to overcome challenges that come with growing produce, and they learn – by getting their hands dirty – about the cycles of growth.”
Produce harvested in the school’s garden is also served during school lunch.
“The vegetables we grow are so delicious,” said Kate Carpentier of Warwick. “It’s amazing to plant seeds, take care of the vegetables as they grow and then get to enjoy them at lunch.”
Tuxedo Park School is an independent coeducational school founded in 1900. Approximately 220 pre-K through Grade 9 students from Orange, Rockland, Bergen, and Westchester counties are enrolled.
To learn more about the school, visit www.tuxedoparkschool.org.