Local Food in Texas
Local Food In Texas
Local Farms for Texas Communities
Chartwells K12 works closely with local farmers to bring fresh produce straight from farms to our schools. We buy whole crops and flash freeze local fruits and vegetables so we can serve them in school year-round. We also source local wholesome ingredients like honey, milk, cheese and beef, which allows us to introduce fresh new foods and flavors to our school menus.
We continue to nurture partnerships directly with local farms while maximizing volume and variety by working with Texas’ top family-owned produce distributor. This ensures local, seasonal produce and ingredients are the first choice when planning our menus. Your on-site team will utilize locally focused order guides, forecasting tools and planning calendars to bring farm-fresh goodness to your cafeterias.
Generally defined, local is a 250-mile radius and regional is within 400 miles. We can customize this designation to your preference.
Chartwells continues to nurture partnerships directly with local farms while maximizing volume and variety by working with Indiana’s top family-owned produce distributor. This ensures local, seasonal produce and ingredients are the first choice when planning our menus. Your on-site team will utilize locally focused order guides, forecasting tools and planning calendars to bring farm-fresh goodness to your cafeterias.
Generally defined, local is a 250-mile radius and regional is within 400 miles. We can customize this designation to your preference.
Texas Local Farms
Chartwells K12 is deeply committed to strengthening the communities we serve, and supporting local Texas farmers is a big part of that promise. We partner with local growers across the state to bring fresh, Texas-grown products into your schools and ensure your district can confidently meet Buy American requirements.
When we work together, your students benefit from fresh ingredients, your community benefits from stronger local partnerships and our Texas farmers benefit from reliable district support.
Chartwells districts purchase more than 76% of produce and dairy products from local farms.
1. Austin
Vital Farms
2. Belton
TrueHarvest Farms
3. Canton
Mill Creek Farms
4. Carizzo Springs
Texas Olive Ranch
5. Carrollton
Rudy’s Tortillas
Local Oven Bakery
6. Dallas
Lopez Foods
Green Valley Food Corp.
The Mozzarella Company
Civello’s Raviolismo
Empire Baking Company
7. Denison
Texas Organic Mushrooms
8. Dripping Springs
Bella Verdi Farms
9. Dublin
Veldhuizen Family Farm
10. Garland
Lucky Layla Farms
11. Hondo
J&B Farms
12. Idalou
Four Leaf Farms
Top of Texas Farms
13. Marfa
Village Farms
14. McAllen
Val Verde Vegetable Co.
15. McGregor
Mill King
16. Mission
Lone Star Citrus
17. Monahans
Village Farms
18. Muleshoe
Barrett Farms
19. Pearsall
Patty’s Herbs
Jack’s Produce Co.
20. Princeton
Reeves Family Farm
21. San Antonio
Moter Cultureh
22. Sanger
Texas Green Star LLC
23. Silsbee
B&M Blueberry Farms
24. Spicewood
Fredericksburg Peach Co.
25. Telephone
Kasturi Farms
26. Uvalde
Winter Garden Produce
Cargil Farms Produce
27. Waco
Homestead Gristmill
Brazos Valley Cheese
28. Waxahachie
Burleson’s Honey
29. Wichita Falls
Young’s Greenhouse
Farm to School Education
With the largest team of registered dietitians in the industry, Chartwells K12 is uniquely qualified to build on Farm to School best practices, adding nutrition education learning experiences in our cafeterias and classrooms. Local produce is incorporated into recipes that we sample at pop-up tasting events for Discovery Kitchen, Global Eats and Mood Boost. Each of these student engagement programs includes an education focus and a side of fun. Students learn:
- Where their food comes from
- Sustainability best practices
- The growing cycle of fruits and vegetables, from seed to cafeteria tray
- How different foods can affect your mood
- Which local ingredients create culturally relevant flavors
IT DOESN’T GET ANY MORE LOCAL THAN THIS
Farmers Market
On-site farmers markets can help shape the way students select healthy foods outside of school. Students practice their math skills and learn about nutrition and financial transactions. These events can be held in outdoor tents set up to emulate traditional farmers markets or we can set up in a large indoor space with tables, baskets and farm decor. Chartwells K12 coordinates with local farms to supply the market with produce, and students are able to shop using play money, or “Veggie Bucks,” and bags to take home fresh vegetables and recipes. Our managers will be on hand to facilitate the fun and bring nutrition lessons to life. It’s a great event for kids, staff and the school community!