Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day

Programs > National School Lunch Program > Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day

Legislature Created Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day

The first Friday in April is designated Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day in public schools. This designation will be used to promote awareness of the health benefits of fruits and vegetables and encourage students to consume more fruits and vegetables.

This year we will be celebrating Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day on Friday, April 17. Join us in educating students on the importance of fruit and vegetables and encouraging them to enjoy fresh, local produce!

Texas Fruit & Vegetable Day Contest Winners

Congratulations to the 2026 winners of the Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day Contest, a collaboration between the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Association for School Nutrition.

First Place: McLeod ISD
McLeod ISD’s submission stood out for its clear student engagement, meaningful celebration of Texas-grown fruits and vegetables, and strong connection to the purpose of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day. Their entry reflected the spirit of the celebration and helped showcase the important role school nutrition programs play in student wellness.

Texas Fruit and Veggie Day Activity:

“Guess the Veggie” game

“Rooted in Texas” cafeteria display

“Common Texas Veggies in the Garden” display

Taste testing turnip greens

Second Place: Beeville ISD
Beeville ISD’s submission stood out for its overall quality, student engagement, and strong celebration of Texas-grown fruits and vegetables. Their entry reflected the spirit of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day by highlighting the importance of school nutrition programs and creating a fun, meaningful experience for students.

Texas Fruit and Veggie Day Activity:

Texas fresh fruit bar

Fruit and veggie decorations

Fruit and veggie costumes

A visit from the Texas Grapefruit Easter Bunny

Student enrichment with a fruit and veggie storybook

Third Place: Culberson County-Allamoore ISD
Culberson County-Allamoore ISD’s submission reflected creativity, strong effort, and a meaningful celebration of Texas-grown fruits and vegetables. Their entry showed a clear commitment to promoting healthy habits and engaging students through school nutrition.

Texas Fruit and Veggie Day Activity:

Hosted a “tasting table experience” with five different options:

Texas Vegetables
Peppers
Lettuce
Cucumbers
Tomato, carrots, jicama, croutons, ranch dressing
Texas Fruits
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Honey Dew, Pineapple, tajin, tajin with chamoy

Texas Fruit & Vegetable Day Contest

Thank you for submitting your 2026 Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day entries for the contest!

Thank you to the following school districts for participating in the 2026 Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day Contest! Your effort and creativity is much appreciated!

Alief ISD
Alpine ISD
Austin ISD
Carrizo ISD
Channelview ISD
Crosby ISD
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
East Central ISD
Garland ISD
Harlingen ISD
Houston ISD
La Porte ISD
Leander ISD
Magnolia ISD
Medina Valley ISD
Pasadena ISD
Plano ISD
Pleasanton ISD
Rio Grande City Grulla ISD
Rio Hondo ISD
Rockdale ISD
San Elizario ISD
Santa Rosa ISD
Tatum ISD
Willis ISD
YES Prep Public Schools

Resources

	Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day Overview - Use this overview handout to learn more about the celebration day and spread awareness among your community.
	Celebration Templates - Use these fillable templates to insert the local fruit and vegetable options available at your school and spotlight your producers. Share it with your community by posting it on your website or social media!
	Fruits and Vegetables Across Texas - Use these handouts that spotlight the Fruits and Vegetables grown across the Lone Star State!
	Taste Testing Toolkit - Use this Taste Testing Guide and Planner along with digital materials to plan a Taste Testing Event to celebrate Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day.
	Digital Images and Handouts - Use these digital images, nutrition handouts, and recipes to boost your Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day celebrations!
	Activities - Explore coloring sheets, crosswords, and word searches featuring fruits and vegetables.
	Classroom Nutrition Education - Share these resources with teachers for ideas on how to incorporate nutrition education into the classroom!
	Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program - FFVP helps schools create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices and increasing children’s fruit and vegetable consumption. Explore Nutrition Education Resources curated by TDA.
	Farm Fresh Initiative - Explore our Farm Fresh Initiative webpage dedicated to connecting local schools with Texas agriculture. Use our Seasonality Wheel, Harvest of the Month, Garden Based Learning, and more!

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.

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