Resources for Texas Farm Fresh Network Members
Thank you for your commitment to helping Texas students, producers, and communities be Homegrown and Healthy. By forging partnerships with schools, child and adult care centers, and summer lunch programs, you’re helping create Farm Fresh generations that will support Texas agriculture for years to come! If you haven’t already, be sure to join TDA’s Farm Fresh Network by completing this form.


Getting Started
Take Your First Steps with These Resources  Maximize 

Explore Your Potential Farm-to-School Market  Maximize 


Dive Into School Nutrition Programs & Meal Service
School nutrition professionals must create healthy, balanced menus containing foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Dive into these resources to learn a bit more about how school menus are built and determined.


Federally-Assisted Meal Programs  Maximize 


Understanding School Food Procurement
Schools and care centers follow federal regulations to procure the food they need for their cafeterias. By understanding this process, timeline, and channels through which schools get their food, you will be able to forge relationships that benefit both your business and the school or care center.


Key Terms  Maximize 

The Procurement Process: Terms to Know  Maximize 

Typical Procurement Timeline  Maximize 

Market Channels  Maximize 

Calculating Success  Maximize 


Building Successful Partnerships

You’ve made contact with a school and/or care center and they’re interested in learning more about your products … now what? Refer to the checklist below to help you prep for your first meeting.


The Power of Social Media  Maximize 

Helping Schools Build Farm Fresh Generations  Maximize 


Other Resources
Food Safety and Insurance  Maximize 

Meal Costs & Reimbursements  Maximize 

Funding  Maximize 

Additional Support  Maximize 


Contact Us
For additional information or assistance with any Texas Farm Fresh project, please contact TDA.

Email: FarmFresh@TexasAgriculture.gov
Toll Free: (877) TEX-MEAL (877-839-6325)


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 (including gender identity and sexual orientation), 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/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.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
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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