Commissioner Miller’s Farm Fresh Challenge Connects Texas Agriculture and Federal Nutrition Programs

2026 Farm Fresh Challenge Begins October 1

AUSTIN — Commissioner Sid Miller encourages schools and day cares to join the Farm Fresh Challenge and promote Texas agriculture in October. Participants earn recognition for serving local foods, offering agricultural learning opportunities, and highlighting their efforts on social media. Organizations operating the National School Lunch Program or Child and Adult Care Food Program can pledge participation before October 1 at SquareMeals.org/FarmFreshChallenge.

“I’m asking our partners to help me make this year’s Farm Fresh Challenge the biggest and best ever,” Commissioner Miller said. “They can engage everyone they serve in trying local products like whole milk from a Texas dairy or fresh apples from the panhandle. Their efforts recognize the hard work of farmers and ranchers and resonate statewide. From Gate to Plate, the Farm Fresh Challenge helps ensure Texas remains a leader in connecting federal nutrition programs and local agriculture.”

Last year, the number of schools and day cares completing the Farm Fresh Challenge increased by 12 percent; spending on Texas products during the Challenge increased from $19 million in 2024 to $23.5 million in 2025. Participants can earn one of three recognition tiers – Cream of the Crop, Best of the Bunch, or Prime Participant. Almost 60 percent earned the top tier – Cream of the Crop – in 2025.

This year, Commissioner Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) have offered training on how program operators purchase directly from farmers and ranchers. TDA, in collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife, also offers one-day workshops for farmers and ranchers on selling to and preparing for school and day care markets.

In addition to training, TDA resources help nutrition professionals achieve recognition at any level. TDA-curated recipes include ingredients sourced from Texas producers. TDA also created a Success Guide with a step-by-step plan for earning recognition; a tracking tool for recording achievements necessary for recognition; and learning resources such as flashcards, word games, and coloring pages for teaching students about agriculture. A social media toolkit helps participants champion their programs online.

TDA’s Farm Fresh Network offers a resource for helping participants find local producers. The Network includes 198 agricultural producers prepared to provide Texas products for federal nutrition programs. Farm Fresh Challenge participants can use the network to find local producers and purchase their vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy, and more.

The Farm Fresh Challenge is a centerpiece of Commissioner Sid Miller’s Farm Fresh Initiative, a comprehensive plan he developed over 10 years ago to create more nutrition-program opportunities for Texas agricultural producers. Everyone can help build a Farm Fresh Generation by sharing social media posts from schools and day cares touting the fun and engagement of their Farm Fresh Challenge participation. For more information about the Farm Fresh Challenge, please visit SquareMeals.org/FarmFreshChallenge.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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