FOURTH GRADERS FROM THE ELISABETH MORROW SCHOOL HOSTED A STUDENT-LED FARMERS MARKET BENEFITING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
The Farmers Market benefits two Bergen County Non- Profits, The Center for Food Action and The Community Chest
(Englewood, N.J. – June 9, 2026) Fourth-grade students from The Elisabeth Morrow School, led by Marek Beck (Head of School) and a collaborative teaching team, took the lead in organizing and managing a mission-driven Farmers Market.
Moving beyond traditional charity, these young leaders operated within a professional departmental structure—including Finance, Operations, Marketing & Communications, Advancement, Education, and Product Maintenance—modeled after the school's own leadership hierarchy.
The Farmers Market benefits the Center for Food Action and The Community Chest, two organizations dedicated to serving local families in need. By connecting classroom learning to community impact, students develop empathy, social consciousness, and a sense of purpose. This student-led Farmers Market is a demonstration of young leaders taking action for the greater good.
The student-led EMS Farmers Market is the capstone project of the school’s innovative Leadership Symposium. This program bridges the gap between classroom science and real-world application by shifting from a model of giving to a model of growing.
Working alongside professional mentors from across the school's administrative offices, the fourth graders have built a sustainable engine for change. Students are responsible for every detail of the venture, which integrates Next Generation Science Standards with cutting-edge business modeling and technology.
Key highlights of the student-led ecosystem include:
Marketing & Tech: Executing a professional "Design Sprint" for brand identity and utilizing AI-assisted "vibe coding" to launch their own event website.
Finance & Operations: Managing the market budget, setting mission-driven pricing, and handling market-day logistics.
Education: Designing a "Learning Expo" map-and-stamp adventure to teach the public about sustainability and food insecurity.
Voluntary Agency: A student-organized "Recess Work Crew" of students who voluntarily used their free time to tend the crops.
Global Alignment: The initiative directly aligns with five United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Zero Hunger and Quality Education.
Photo Caption: Fourth-grade leaders from The Elisabeth Morrow School, guided by Head of School Marek Beck and their collaborative teaching team, spearheaded a mission-driven Farmers Market to benefit local families. During the event, guest Mayor Michael Wildes and the Executive Director of Center for Food Action, Nicole Davis engaged with students, learning how their efforts support the Center for Food Action and The Community Chest—two organizations deeply committed to assisting those in need within the community.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Elisabeth Morrow School
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