FRESH TRAYS

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FRESH TRAYS

Training for Child Nutrition Operators

This training offers guidance on how schools and centers can procure local foods for meal programs. It covers the procurement process for child nutrition programs, including planning, selecting procurement methods, and developing solicitations. The training also addresses proposals, contract management, documenting informal procurements, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

More info coming soon!

Training for Producers

Farm Fresh Student Engagement Grant

Request for Grant Applications

The Texas Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Division will open applications for the Fiscal Year 2026 Farm Fresh Student Engagement Grants on Oct. 15, 2025. Schools in the National School Lunch Program can submit proposals for using grant funds to engage students in learning about local foods and Texas agriculture. Eligible activities align with TDA’s Farm Fresh Initiative and fall under the following three categories:

Agricultural education
Local producer connections
Edible gardens

Applications open October 15, 2025, and must be submitted by November 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT through TDA GO. You can find detailed eligibility requirements, funding parameters, and application instructions in the official Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) here.

Applicants are encouraged to review the RFGA carefully and watch the recorded webinar before applying. View the recording here.

Click Here for Application Details!

Do you plan on applying? Go ahead and create an account now to get started. Follow the instructions here to set up your account in TDA GO.

NOTE: The initial registration for the organization must be completed by an Authorized Official (AO) for the organization. Once registered, the AO can designate access to the organizational account for additional staff members as they deem appropriate.

Assistance available in English and Spanish. Please call 877-TEX-MEAL (877-839-6325) for help. Additional translations services available as well.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. Mail:

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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