Health & wellness
BY CHLOE YOUNG
As of January, Lake Travis ISD is serving students cafeteria meals using more food grown in Central Texas and across the state after receiving a federal grant. The district has served meals using a greater amount of meat, produce and products from local farmers upon receiving a nearly $100,000 grant through the Local Food for Schools program in November 2023. This school year, the district began partnering with the Central Texas Food Bank through its new Food Hub Program and is continuing to work with The Common Market Texas to receive chicken, fruits and vegetables. Lake Travis ISD now sourcing more local foods
Also of note
Why it matters
Going forward
Farmland acres lost daily over time in Travis County 16.8 acres of farmland are lost every day in Travis County, according to a 2022 report from the city of Austin.
Local harvest in LTISD
LTISD developed an interest in sourcing food locally following the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the district discovered that its local ven- dors were better equipped to supply their food, Bell said. Sourcing from local farms builds resilience in the community amid emergencies and disasters, such as winter storms, she said. The district can now serve fresher food that has less time to degrade nutritionally, Bell said. LTISD has implemented more scratch cooking using minimally-processed products and removed allergens from menu items. The Central Texas Food Bank’s food hub system has provided greater opportunities for small- and mid-sized farmers who may not produce enough products to feed an entire school district on their own, said Tracy Ayrhart, vice president of strate- gic insights for the Central Texas Food Bank. Hallie Casey, partnership director for The Common Market Texas, said she has seen many
In December, the USDA announced the investment of $1.13 billion in local and regional food systems, including the Local Food for Schools program. LTISD is optimistic that it will receive additional funding and is awaiting direction from the TDA on how funding might be awarded, Bell said. The district plans to open a hydroponic flex farm that will allow students to observe lettuce and herbs growing in the cafeteria. Alongside introducing local foods, LTISD has sought to educate students about where their food is grown, Bell said. Through its food hub system, Central Texas Food Bank hopes to serve more school districts and may consider expanding to work with child care centers, restaurants, hospitals and retail businesses, Ayrhart said.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller started a Texas Farm Fresh program to incentivize districts to serve local foods upon being elected to the position in 2015. At that time, Miller told Community Impact he discovered many Texas schools were not serving local foods and were disconnected from their nearby farmers. Participation in the Texas Farm Fresh program has increased amongst school districts every year, he said. LTISD has been awarded for participating in the initiative by serving local foods for the past several years, said Marissa Bell, the district’s dietitian and marketing coordinator. On April 5, LTISD hosted State Rep. Carrie Isaac and TDA staff to celebrate the first Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day, which was created following the passage of Isaac’s House Bill 3991. “We threw that event… to really help promote fruits and vegetables, not only for our students, but to serve as an example statewide for encour- aging those options,” Bell said.
Sweet potatoes • Fredericksburg Peach Co. • Spicewood • 17 miles from LTISD
2012-17 4.6 acres
2018 9.3 acres
2022 16.8 acres
Carrots • Trosi Farms • Elgin • 42 miles from LTISD
SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
Green beans • J&B Farms/Jack’s Produce • Pearsall • 150 miles from LTISD
“Our school food system moves trillions of dollars of purchasing power. … It’s a huge opportunity to really create an impactful
change in your own community.” HALLIE CASEY, THE COMMON MARKET TEXAS PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR
Organic grapefruit • Triple J Organics • Mission • 322 miles from LTISD
farms close their doors in the Central Texas area over the last five years.
SOURCE: LAKE TRAVIS ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
LOWER PRICES on HUNDREDS OF WINES In-Store ONLY 2/1 - 3/1 No Limit on Quantities While Supplies Last
®
WINES · SPIRITS · FINER FOODS FINER FOODS Che s to Savings! ®
HUGE WINE SALE
BEE CAVE 13015 Shops Pkwy (512) 263-9981
BRODIE LANE 4970 Hwy 290 W (512) 366-8260
NORTH 620 10601 N FM 620 (512) 506-8316
Store selections vary. Photos for illustration only. Not responsible for typographical errors. SPECSONLINE.COM
Offering Curbside, In-Store Pickup & Delivery
Powered by FlippingBook