Commissioner Miller Congratulates Winners of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day Contest (5/27/2026)

The Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Association for School Nutrition recognize three districts for outstanding celebrations.

Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the winners of the 2026 Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day Contest for schools. The contest represents a collaboration between the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and the Texas Association for School Nutrition (TASN) to recognize outstanding Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day celebrations. Participating schools featured a Texas-grown fruit or vegetable on the menu, hosted a taste test, or provided a learning activity focused on Texas agriculture.

TDA and TASN named the following winners:

• First Place: McLeod ISD
• Second Place: Beeville ISD
• Third Place: Culberson County-Allamoore ISD

“All the contestants demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring Texas children can grow up homegrown and healthy,” Commissioner Miller said. “Their celebrations provided another spark for kindling students’ appreciation for local fruits and vegetables. I commend these school districts for their outstanding work and thank the Texas Association for School Nutrition for their partnership.”

The 29 entries received for the 2026 contest nearly doubled the number received in 2025. Each submission reflected creativity, care, and a meaningful commitment to celebrating Texas-grown fruits and vegetables with students. Because of the strong participation and the quality of submissions received, a third-place recognition was added this year. The 2026 Texas Fruit & Vegetable Day Contest winners were selected by TASN and TDA.

As the first-place winner, McLeod ISD will receive the grand prize: an all-expenses-paid trip, sponsored by TDA, for two Child Nutrition staff members to visit Common Market Texas farms. The trip will include farm tours, opportunities to connect with growers and industry experts, travel, meals, and accommodations. Culberson County-Allamoore ISD and Beeville ISD will each receive a complimentary registration for the TASN 2026 Annual Conference.

The 88th Texas Legislature established the first Friday in April as Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day in public schools to promote consumption of local fruits and vegetables. For more information, please visit SquareMeals.org/TXFruitandVegetableDay.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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