Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) invite you to attend MegaCon 2026 — in Waco, Texas, April 6–8, 2026.

With a new location, a new layout, and a new emphasis on networking with Texas agricultural producers, MegaCon 2026 brings new connections and new opportunities for a Texas-sized Farm Fresh experience.

Organizations participating in the TDA-administered federal nutrition programs and TDA’s Farm Fresh initiatives will join us for three days of collaboration, learning, and engagement.

Make plans now to connect with TDA and your colleagues from across the state! For registration details and access to group GSA hotel rates, please visit the official MegaCon website.

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USDA Food and Nutrition Service has issued new memo SP 03-2026, CACFP 02-2026, SFSP 02-2026, Incorporating Local Beef into Child Nutrition Program Meals, which provides helpful resources and strategies for Child Nutrition Program (CNP) operators and ranchers to incorporate local beef into meals. Resource topics cover procurement, funding resources, food safety, crediting, and technical assistance contacts from the Farm to School Program.

Click here to view the full memo.

On January 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 (Guidelines). USDA strongly encourages child nutrition program operators to familiarize themselves with the key recommendations and consider how these Guidelines can be incorporated into program meals and snacks to promote healthy outcomes and healthy families. 

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This advanced training is designed for child nutrition program operators participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Summer Meals Program (SMP), and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) who are interested in purchasing local foods and supporting Texas agriculture. This in-person training will be held at your Education Service Centers - Visit SquareMeals for upcoming trainings.

Join us for a live, interactive training session designed specifically for Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) personnel. This webinar will highlight training strategies that strengthen understanding and retention. We will share practical techniques and show what they may look like in everyday training scenarios. 
  
Dates & Registration:

March 11, 2026: Register Here 

March 18, 2026: Register Here 

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All AI-powered chatbots must be fully disabled and not utilized during sessions with TDA.
  

Time: 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (Central Time) via ZOOM 

Presenter: Stephanie Parrott, TDA Training & Development Specialist 

USDA Training Code: 3000 

Participants will receive an official TDA Training Certificate upon completion. 
  
For questions or additional information, please contact: FND.Training@TexasAgriculture.gov 
  
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the webinar.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, March 12 from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. (CDT)!
TANS Talk is an office hours session that will allow Organizations (formally known as CEs) 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.