Food Preparation

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Food Preparation

Food Preparation Tips

Whole Grain-Rich Products

Whole Grain-Rich Pasta Cooking Resources
Refer to these resources for recommended cook times and best practices when preparing whole grain-rich pasta. All are suitable for display in the kitchen for quick reference during meal preparation.

Whole grain-rich products cook differently than refined white grains, and may also appear darker in color. The one-page resource, Tips to Prepare Whole Grain-Rich Items, offers strategies in order to address common challenges associated with preparing and serving whole grain-rich products.

Additional Resources for Food Preparation

	Success Stories A showcase of best practices being implemented in schools throughout the state of Texas Ideas on how to improve the visual appeal and consumption of your schools meals
	Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) Free access to education and training resources Prepare healthy and appealing foods with Cooks for Kids Culinary Techniques for Healthy School Meals provides food preparation techniques, such as stir-frying vegetables, preparing salads and cooking dry beans
	School Nutrition Association Increase participation with new looks and a range of tasty and appealing choices Stay on the cutting edge of preparing and serving delicious and nutritious meals Sign-up for SNA SmartBriefs and receive daily e-mails with ideas on how to improve school meal
	Chefs Move to Schools An integral part of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! Initiative Chef partners provide menu ideas, culinary training and assistance in teaching students about the importance of healthy meals Chef partners build excitement about your school meals program

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) lists these resources and providers as a service to school nutrition professionals.
This list does not constitute an endorsement or verification of accuracy on the part of TDA.

Assistance available in English and Spanish. Please call 877-TEX-MEAL (877-839-6325) for help.

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Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

Mail:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Texas Department of Agriculture

Commissioner Sid Miller