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January 2024 E-Harvest Newsletter
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A Message from Commissioner Miller
Howdy Neighbors! Welcome to Your E-Harvest Newsletter.
Happy New Year E-Harvest partners! This year, I am asking my fellow Texans to make a resolution - eat and serve more Teexas agricultural products in 2024. Everybody can start with the famous Texas red grapefruits. They are in season and Texas citrus brightens those winter days. Enjoy, and remember...Texas Agriculture Matters.
Sid Miller
Texas Agriculture Commissioner
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Congratulations Local Food for Schools Grant Recipients!
Last November, Commissioner Sid Miller officially awarded 331 school districts between $30,000 and $250,000 in Local Food for Schools (LFS) grant funds to purchase local Texas foods. In total, more than $22.3 million was allocated across the state. Click here to view the list of LFS grant recipients.
The aim of this grant is to strengthen connections to farmers and ranchers, develop a Farm Fresh generation of Texans, and support Texas agriculture. Participating schools and Texas producers interested in supporting local food in schools can visit www.squaremeals.org/LFS to learn more.
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TDA's Farm Fresh Cooking for the Seasons Recipe Book
Every month, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) spotlights a fruit or vegetable currently harvested in Texas. Ruby Red Grapefruit is the star in January. Grapefruit juice and zest can be substituted for other citrus, including the oranges in the cookies found on page 77 of the Farm Fresh Cooking for the Seasons Cookbook.
February Harvest of the Month: Red Leaf Lettuce
Funding/Donation Opportunities
SCALES
In an effort to increase procurement of local products in schools, Boise State University partnered with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create the Supporting Community Agriculture & Local Education Systems (SCALES) grant. This nationwide opportunity will provide up to 70 School Food Authorities (SFAs) with up to $50,000 to implement projects that increase local product use through partnerships with entities throughout the food system. Applications are due no later than January 26, 2024.
2024 GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant
The application period for the KidsGardening.org/Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant has opened. Grants will be awarded to 170 recipients in 2024. Applicants can receive funding for new or existing garden programs, with priority given to programs that will be the most impacted. Applications close on February 9, 2024.
Learning Opportunities
Next Local Food for Schools Grant Office Hours: January 17
On December 12, 2023, the Local Food for Schools (LFS) Grant team hosted a virtual office hour session to answer questions and support LFS grant participants. The recorded session and slides are available under the Office Hours section of the LFS webpage. The next office hours meeting is scheduled for January 17, 2024; a Zoom link will be sent out to LFS grant recipients. If you are participating in the LFS grant and are not receiving communications, contact localfoodgrant@texasagriculture.gov.
Ideas for Farm to School
California Food for California Kids is an initiative that collaborates with school districts in the state to increase local foods in schools. Each year, they give out Leadership and Innovation Awards. For an overview of what 2023's nine winners have accomplished, read about their fresh ideas here: CFCK Awards
Food Corp Lesson
Did you know that FoodCorps has a 606 page curriculum for K - 12 instruction? FoodCorps service members can use this guide to educate students on food related topics, including healthy food choices, food ecology, growing healthy foods, and more. To learn more about FoodCorps and how they can help you increase your farm to school activities, go to their website: FoodCorps.org
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Farm Fresh Sharing 2023 Farm Fresh Challenge
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Farm Fresh Sharing is a feature spotlighting CEs from Texas and across the country who take part in farm to school activities and answer questions from you. Beginning in February, we will feature an interview with a Texas CE or producer in each E-Harvest. CEs who have agreed to be spotlighted choose 10 questions from a list of 20 curated by TDA. They send those answers to TDA with pictures of their farm to school activities. The goal of this section is to make connections between CEs and producers, answer questions about Farm Fresh programming, and share success stories. If you are interested in sharing your experiences and inspiring other CEs, please fill out this survey.
The 2023 Farm Fresh Challenge (FFC) was a rousing success. For the first time, the October Challenge was open to both National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) operators. TDA received 192 pledges to participate from Contracting Entities (CEs) and 107 CEs received recognition. Pledges among NSLP CEs were up 13.6% from the 2022-23 school year, while CACFP pledges increased by 1,500%. Recognition increased from a total of 96 in 2022-23 to 107 in 2023-24.
In October, CEs taking part in FFC activities spent $13.68 million on local products. The Challenge provided 2.67 million students with opportunities to learn about Texas agriculture using word games, coloring pages, farmer visits, student farmers' markets, mobile dairy visits, and more. You can see some of the flyers, fun displays, and creative use of local foods for educational activities on the Farm Fresh Challenge Success Stories page on SquareMeals.org.
TDA representatives visited three separate school districts to view beautiful tasting event displays, student farmers' markets, and Southwest Dairy's Mobile Classroom. CEs were very welcoming, and everyone who was able to visit had a wonderful time.
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Finding New Recipes
Grapefruit recipes that are suitable for young children can be hard to come by. Did you know that grapefruits can be broiled and/or roasted? Roasting grapefruit makes them sweeter and juicier. Try roasting some grapefruit and adding sections to a green salad or creating a citrus fruit salad.
Funding/Donation Opportunities
2024 GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant
The application period for the KidsGardening.org/Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant has opened. Grants will be awarded to 170 recipients in 2024. Applicants can receive funding for new or existing garden programs, with priority given to programs that will be the most impacted. The application period closes February 9, 2024. This opportunity is open to nonprofit childcare centers.
Learning Opportunities
Sovereignty Gardens
Teach your little students about gardening the indigenous way with Sovereignty Gardens, a series of short videos featuring Bran the puppet and his puppet bison, Stompy. Videos are around 5 minutes long with downloadable companion lesson plans.
OK Farm to School
The Oklahoma Farm to School Program has a list of agricultural short films and video clips available to educate students about food, other crops, and farm animals. The dancing cows in "Who Put That Burger on Your Plate" are highly entertaining.
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National Bean Day
January 6th is National Bean Day. An assortment of beans can be grown in Texas, including beans for drying, Southern peas, green/snap beans, lima and mung beans. Beans are high in fiber and dried beans are a good source of protein.
Funding Opportunities
FruitGuys Community Fund
FruitGuys have opened their 2024 Community Fund grant. The grant is open to small farms (less than 300 acres) that are owned/operated by the applicant. Nonprofit agricultural businesses may also apply. Awards will not exceed $5,000. Projects are scored based on community impact and environmental sustainability. Application closes January 30, 2024.
Learning Opportunities
Texas Schools are Looking for Texas Farmers!
TDA is encouraging schools to use the Farm Fresh Network (FFN) as a resource to find local producers to increase Texas foods on school meal trays and connect schools to Texas agriculture. If you are a producer currently registered in TDA's Farm Fresh Network, please take a moment to review and update your information since schools are using the FFN producer list and reaching out. If you are not a member yet, please join here. If you need to make changes to your FFN information, please contact FarmFresh@TexasAgriculture.gov.
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Getting to Know School Meals
December gave us the opportunity to delve further into vegetables in school meals. Let's take a look at grains in child nutrition programs.
Welcome to the fourth issue of the School Food Digest!
Grains are an important part of school meals. Eighty percent of grains served per week in school nutrition programs must be whole grain rich. As with fruits and vegetables, there are minimum grain portion requirements for each age group.
Anatomy of a Grain
Grains are made up of three parts: the germ, the endosperm, and the bran.
The germ is the part of the grain that sprouts and can grow into a new plant. It provides a bit of protein, some B vitamins, unsaturated fats, and minerals.
The endosperm comprises the largest part of the grain. In it, you will find protein, vitamins and minerals, and complex carbohydrates. This portion of the grain serves as a nutrition source for the germ, giving energy for the seedling to grow roots and sprout.
The bran has several layers and provides a protective covering for the endosperm and the germ. The bran is where you will find fiber, antioxidants, and B vitamins.
Serving whole grains means that the bran is not removed therefore fiber remains in the grain item, which supports digestion and keeps you full longer by slowing down absorption. When a grain is enriched, the bran and germ are removed, leaving only the endosperm and then lost nutrients are added back in to enrich the product. Fiber is not added back to the grain. Schools are required to serve a certain amount of whole grain-rich grains to give students a fiber source. More whole grain information can be found here: MyPlate and Whole Grains Council
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Farm Fresh Back to Basics
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Starting the New Year with Texas Farm Fresh
Welcome to 2024! The new year provides the opportunity for new beginnings, new attitudes, and a fresh perspective. Planning for the next school year starts soon and what better time to prepare to increase your farm to school programming?
The Farm Fresh Network map has been updated to include a search feature. Look for specific producers, search for specific products, or find a producer based on your location.
Get ideas for Farm to School activities by looking through the 2023 Farm Fresh Challenge Success Stories on SquareMeals.org. These showcase the fun, inventive ways CEs across the state highlighted local foods and Texas agriculture during October.
Plan for a school garden! Check out the Plan, Grow, Harvest, and Connect resources in the Let's Get Growing series created by TDA.
Need more inspiration? Read this article in AgWeek about the success of Minnesota's Farm to School movement. And stay tuned for monthly profiles of Texas CEs, beginning next month!
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TDA would like to welcome the following producers to the Farm Fresh Network:
Egg Cited Farm
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Clarksville
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Steel Mill Farms
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Gilmer
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Pullen Family Farms, LLC
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Commerce
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Bexar Beef Co., LLC
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Anderson
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Mill Iron P Cattle Company
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Canadian
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J Bar Braunvieh
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Hedley
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Generations Farms
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Farmersville
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CD & J Mini Ranch
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San Benito
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Heleyon Sheep & Cattle Co., LLC
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Lufkin
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Austin County Farm Fresh Microgreens
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Bellville
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Contact TDA
Toll Free: (877) TEX-MEAL
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Connect with Others
Texas Farm Fresh Network Use this tool to connect with Texas food companies that currently sell or are interested in selling to schools, child care centers, adult care centers and summer meal programs. Company listings include contact information, product availability and distribution radius
Funding Opportunities Financial support from organizations may help establish or advance local Farm Fresh initiatives. This list includes opportunities from TDA, USDA and other organizations.
Interested in learning more about Texas products?
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This product was funded by USDA.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. |
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