Apply today for USDA’s Turnip the Beet award that recognizes outstanding summer meal programs. Visit our webpage for more information on the application process. The deadline for applying is January 16, 2026.

The Texas Department of Agriculture's (TDA) Food and Nutrition Division now has an online Civil Rights Training course available on SquareMeals. Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the course.

To access the Civil Rights Training Information, visit the Annual Civil Rights Training page.

Children receiving and enjoying nutritious meals is essential for their health, development, and overall well-being – throughout the school year and during the summer.

That’s why it’s never too early to start considering summer meals service. If you are a rural school district that is mandated to operate a summer program but is considering opting out via a waiver, or if your organization has never participated in a summer meals program, rural non-congregate service flexibilities such as grab-and-go service, parent/guardian pick-up, and home delivery can broaden accessibility of meals to students and potentially provide less cost and time-prohibitive ways to serve those meals.

Be on the lookout for updated materials and guidance on operating SFSP or SSO rural non-congregate sites to be released early next year, including the 2026 Non-Congregate Request Form and an updated Summer Rural Non-Congregate FAQs. 

To learn more and stay informed about non-congregate summer meal service, visit SquareMeals.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, December 11 from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. (CST)!

TANS Talk is an office hours session that will allow Organizations (formally known as Contracting Entities) to review TANS related updates. We are excited to share all of the new updates about this platform and answer any questions.

How to Participate in TANS Talk:
Use this TANS Talk Feedback Form to submit any TANS questions you would like to see reviewed during the call. We will cover questions received at least 48 hours prior to the call, allowing our team time to prepare for the meeting. Visit the TANS homepage and Resources page for access to past TANS Talks, updates, trainings, and more.