Health Ambassadors for a Ready Texas (HART)

Programs > National School Lunch Program > Health Ambassadors for a Ready Texas

Cultivate Healthier School Environments

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) recognizes that student leaders have a powerful voice for improving health and wellness on school campuses across the Lone Star State - that's why TDA developed the Health Ambassadors for a Ready Texas (HART) program.

HART aims to inspire and recognize exceptional Texas high school students as they champion healthy choices. As a HART ambassador you'll work with your school's nutrition team to promote school lunches, healthy eating and the importance of Texas agriculture and locally grown food to your classmates and peers.

Who Should Apply to Participate in the HART Program?

HART encourages students who are passionate about making a difference at their school to apply. Hundreds of students in Texas have completed the program and walked away with an impressive leadership, teamwork, and event coordination experience to add to their college applications, as well as a wealth of new knowledge about agriculture, nutrition, and health. Before you apply, make sure you meet the requirements below:

Currently be enrolled in a Texas high school in the 9th, 10th, or 11th grade.
Attend a Texas school that participates in the National School Lunch Program. If you are unsure, you can search for your district's name here.
Have an email address to receive HART newsletters and program materials.

HART Application Instructions

Applications for the '24 - '25 school year cohort have closed. Check back in March to apply for the '25 - '26 school year application to open

To complete the HART application, you will need the following information:

Application Questions:

Please contact the HART team at HART@TexasAgriculture.gov or by phone at (877) TEX-MEAL.

My Plate Ambassadors

In collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife, TDA was awarded a grant from USDA’s Team Nutrition to recruit high school students to promote MyPlate resources and healthy eating habits among their peers. This grant runs through the 2025-2026 school year. If you are interested in becoming a MyPlate ambassador, please click here. Students must apply to be a HART ambassador as well. Applications are due September 19, 2024!

Use This Map to See Hart Schools for 2023-2024

Rave Reviews from Hart Participants

Join HART and You'll Get to ...

Complete different tasks each month.
Organize exciting events such as taste tests to sample local produce.
Connect with other Health Ambassadors across the state of Texas.
Promote school meals and teach your peers about Texas agriculture.
Gather feedback on how to improve school nutrition programs.
Work hand-in-hand with school leadership.

HART Student Requirements

Participate in activities promoting healthy eating and Texas agriculture at your school.
Complete progress reports for each task performed to earn recognition.
Meet with your HART advisor once a month to discuss and coordinate activities for upcoming school nutrition initiatives.
Attend statewide conference calls when possible to share ideas and feedback to TDA and other HART participants.

Information for School Staff

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/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.