Farm Fresh Spotlight Story
DoD Farm to School Survey Set to Open in TX-UNPS
Department of Defense (DoD) Farm to School gives Texas school districts the opportunity to purchase fresh Texas fruits using their USDA Foods entitlement funds.
Each year in January, schools can indicate their interest in participating in DoD Farm to School in TX-UNPS. School districts that would like to participate must answer 'yes' to the participation question on the Contracting Entity Information update screen in TX-UNPS.
Products seasonally available from Texas producers include:
- Watermelon
- Peaches (new in 2018!)
- Red Grapefruit
- Oranges
- Apples
Download the calendar here.
Texas' DoD Farm to School program supports local Texas growers through a direct ship relationship. Starting in 2019, schools in Food Distribution Program Region 6 serviced by US Foods can opt in to receive apples and peaches!
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Farm to School Spotlight
Now Available! Grant Funding Available to Expand Farm Fresh Fridays in Schools
Research shows that children who are familiar with growing their own food tend to eat more fruits and vegetables! Public schools in Texas may be eligible to receive grant funds to support this kind of educational opportunity by expanding existing garden programs or creating new ones. TDA is offering the Expanding the 3E's Nutrition Education Grant (X3E) to help expand
Farm Fresh Friday activities which include school gardens, taste testing, farmer visits, and much more! TDA is now accepting
X3E grant applications. A
pplications are due December 6, 2018.
Foundation Will Award Grants for Project Learning Gardens
Schools can apply to receive a Project Learning Garden from the Captain Planet Foundation. The gardens are being provided through partnerships with grocery retailers around the country. Grand prize recipients will receive a Project Learning Garden which includes gardens and tools, a mobile garden cooking cart, standards-based Project Learning Garden lessons and supply kits, and online teacher training.
Learn more and apply here.
Grant Deadlines:
Cycle 1: Opened // July 16, 2018 Closes // January 15, 2019
Cycle 2: Opens // January 16, 2019 Closes // July 15, 2019
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TDA's New Community Nutrition Conference Set for February
When: February 11-13, 2019;
Business Expo starts 2/12 at 7:00 AM
Where: Georgetown, Texas
TDA's Community Nutrition Conference will offer Farm Fresh Network members a special opportunity to network and host one-on-one business meetings with sponsors in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program.
Welcome to the Farm Fresh Network!
We would like to welcome three new members to the TDA Farm Fresh Network -
World Hunger Relief, Inc., Fischer & Wieser Specialty Foods, Inc., and Leola's Farm.
World Hunger Relief, Inc., known as the Farm, is committed to the alleviation of food insecurity and malnutrition through sustainable agriculture and community development. Established in 1976 in Waco, TX, the Farm hosts tours, farm camps, service learning projects, and the organizers are interested in providing their locally grown foods to schools. Visit
www.worldhungerrelief.org for additional information.
Fischer & Wieser was founded in Fredericksburg in 1969. They specialize in an array of Texas-made products including preserves, condiments, and sauces. Fischer & Wieser products can be purchased in stores across the U.S. Fischer & Wieser, Inc. is interested in connecting with Texas schools. Learn more at
www.jelly.com.
Texas farmer and owner of Leola's Farm, Daryl Morris named his farm after his grandmother. Daryl, a U.S. Army National Guard veteran, currently farms on seven acres in Hillister, and is interested in selling his crops to schools throughout Tyler County.
Visit
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| Emilee Case
Coordinator for Farm Fresh Projects
Beatrice Watson
Farm Fresh Specialist
Email us or call
(877) TEX-MEAL
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Texas Statewide Network
This
LinkedIn Group is an online network connecting schools, child and adult care centers, producers, support organizations and community members with important information about expanding local food efforts in Texas.
Join Today!
Texas Farm Fresh Network
Use this tool to connect with Texas food companies that currently sell or are interested in selling to schools, child care centers and summer meal programs. Company listings include contact information, product availability and distribution radius.
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Financial support from organizations may help establish or advance local Farm Fresh initiatives.
Go here
for a list of opportunities from TDA, USDA and other organizations.
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Interested in learning more about Texas products?
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