By In a significant step towards fostering food and agriculture literacy among students, HISD’s Nutrition Services Department has been awarded a prestigious grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support HISD’s Farm to School program.
With the previous success of innovative programs like Get Growing Houston and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, HISD Nutrition Services is committed to providing even more nutrition and agriculture literacy in HISD schools by making fresh produce and nutrition education more accessible to even more campuses.
This initiative aims to cultivate a deeper understanding of where our food comes from and the vital role agriculture plays in our daily lives. With this grant, HISD is poised to inspire the next generation of environmentally conscious leaders by expanding its efforts to develop and sustain school gardens at 85 campuses and provide comprehensive training for 271 educators to incorporate garden-based learning into their teaching.
“We are thrilled to have received the USDA’s Farm to School Grant this year,” said Nan Cramer, Nutrition Services Director 2. “This funding will enable us to expand our garden programs and enhance the agriculture and nutrition education for our students. Additionally, we plan to involve parents in these gardening initiatives.”
The Farm to School grant also enables HISD to enhance collaboration with key partners, including Whole Kids Foundation, USDA – Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS), Texas AgriLife Extension Services, Texas Farm Bureau, and Prairie View A&M Cooperative Extension Services. These partnerships are instrumental in supporting garden-based activities and providing resources for students and educators.
The Farm to School initiative seeks to strengthen communities with instruction that emphasizes the links between food, health, and the environment. By providing professional development, forming external partnerships, and implementing TEKS-aligned instruction, this program enriches students’ educational experiences while promoting a healthier future for everyone.
