As an active business in the community, we aim to build a healthier future as we foster and continue to develop relationships with local farms throughout Florida.
Not only do these partnerships continue the farm-to-table trend, but they also introduce kids to a wide variety of fresh foods and flavors while benefiting farmers and the entire community. This also helps reduce our carbon footprint, making it a win for our students, our communities and our planet.
Native Fresh
Native Fresh is an aquaponics farm and greenhouse located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville that educates, trains and feeds the community through various urban farming techniques, including aquaponics, hydroponics and traditional agriculture. Through these revolutionary farming methods, Native Fresh can grow produce in a fraction of the space and with only 5% of the water required in traditional farming. Their closed-loop growth system leaves nothing to waste.
Because of these responsible growing practices, we knew Native Fresh would be a great organization to partner with for education and purchasing local produce.
Native Fresh partners with us to educate students on sustainable farming practices and provide samples of their produce to fuel education-based culinary workshops. This one-of-a-kind farm offers our students tours of their facility in tandem with an interactive lesson plan and activities.
CityLights Farms
This local hydroponics farm tackles both food and job insecurity in Duval County by providing fresh, organic produce to the community and employing underserved populations who may struggle to find meaningful work or upwardly mobile career opportunities. Chartwells recently partnered with CityLights Farms to bring freshly grown romaine lettuce to schools across the district.
On the Menu
A fresh salad is offered every day on our middle and high school menus, and the organic lettuce is sustainably grown right here in Jacksonville at Native Fresh and CityLights. Once harvested, the lettuce is delivered to our Nutrition Service Center, where it is made into delicious, ready-to-eat, farm-fresh salads with a retail look.