HISD receives USDA grant for farm-to-school program expansion

In a move to enhance food and agriculture literacy among students, the Houston Independent School District's (HISD) Nutrition Services Department has secured a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This funding is intended to support HISD’s Farm to School program.

Building on the success of previous initiatives such as Get Growing Houston and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, HISD Nutrition Services aims to increase access to fresh produce and nutrition education across more campuses. The goal is to foster a deeper understanding of food origins and agriculture's role in daily life.

With this grant, HISD plans to inspire future environmentally conscious leaders by expanding school gardens at 85 campuses. Additionally, 271 educators will receive training to integrate garden-based learning into their curricula.

“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 grant also facilitates collaboration with partners like 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 crucial for supporting garden-based activities and providing resources for both students and educators.

The Farm to School initiative aims to strengthen communities by emphasizing connections between food, health, and the environment through professional development, external partnerships, and TEKS-aligned instruction. This program seeks not only to enrich educational experiences but also promote a healthier future for all involved.