FRESH TRAYS Farm to School

08/13/2026

What's in the forecast for beef prices? 🥩
Dr. David Anderson, a professor in the Texas A&M Department of Agricultural Economics, was featured on TheStreet, where he discussed the Texas A&M Food Price Predictor and predictions for beef prices through the remainder of the summer.
Learn more about the latest outlook for beef prices: https://bit.ly/4z4SBV0

08/11/2026

🌱 Texas Producers—let’s grow your Farm to School connections! 🍎🏫

Join FRESH TRAYS for a FREE Farm to School Networking Session designed to bring Texas farmers, ranchers, and food producers together with the people and organizations looking for local products.

📅 August 25, 2026
⏰ 2:00–4:00 p.m.
📍 Williamson County Extension Office
100 Wilco Way, AG 201 | Georgetown, TX

Come ready to CONNECT. CONTRACT. GROW.

You’ll have the opportunity to network and collaborate with ISD Nutrition Directors, Farm to School partners, food hubs, distributors, processors, nonprofits, and fellow producers—while hearing real success stories from across Texas.

Whether you’re already selling to schools or just exploring the opportunity, this is a great chance to make connections that can help open new markets for your farm or food business.

✅ Registration is FREE! Click here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/Zk2z5ULQ4k

Know a Texas producer who should be at the table? Tag them or share this post!

08/10/2026

Here’s a polished social media post that pairs well with the flyer without simply repeating everything on it:

Were you or your agricultural operation impacted by the July 2025 Texas floods?

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is conducting a study to better understand the short-term economic impacts of the 2025 flooding on Texas agriculture.

If you are an agricultural producer or operate an agriculture-related business in an affected county, your experience can help provide a clearer picture of how these floods impacted farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses across Texas.

The online survey takes approximately 10 minutes, participation is voluntary, and responses are anonymous.

📱 Scan the QR code on the flyer or follow the survey link to participate. Here’s a polished social media post that pairs well with the flyer without simply repeating everything on it:

Were you or your agricultural operation impacted by the July 2025 Texas floods?

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is conducting a study to better understand the short-term economic impacts of the 2025 flooding on Texas agriculture.

If you are an agricultural producer or operate an agriculture-related business in an affected county, your experience can help provide a clearer picture of how these floods impacted farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses across Texas.

The online survey takes approximately 10 minutes, participation is voluntary, and responses are anonymous.

📱 Scan the QR code on the flyer or follow the survey link to participate.
https://agrilife.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Wl3QotI74fpEPQ?fbclid=IwY2xjawTm58BwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUc3THAyRlB2T3lNQUNST3ZzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeHdet7qwMcznTcCYQuOf3EyPmboIEZ4BB3Y3-RPWVWExW-mWLcTmiZMRK7zc_aem_OIg9otC8JW7MLlUnnPyQdQ

Please help us reach those who were affected by sharing this post with producers, agricultural businesses, and others in your community.

Your experience matters. Your input can help document the true economic impact of the 2025 Texas floods.

08/03/2026

It’s a busy day for the FRESH TRAYS team! In the San Marcos area? Stop by the Small Producers Initiative conference at Texas State and visit with Sharon.

08/02/2026

Stop by and see us at Beef Cattle Short Course tomorrow at the MSC at TAMU!

07/24/2026

07/23/2026

07/20/2026

🌱 Grow Your Farm-to-School Market!

Join FRESH TRAYS at the Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference for a hands-on pre-conference workshop designed to help Texas farmers, ranchers, and food producers sell more locally produced foods to schools and childcare centers.

📅 Sunday, August 2, 2026
🕥 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
📍 LBJ Student Center | San Marcos, Texas

Participants will gain:

✅ Insight into school and childcare food markets
✅ Opportunities to connect with buyers seeking local products
✅ Guidance on selecting and growing products for school demand
✅ Practical tools for overcoming common Farm-to-School challenges

Producers who complete the FRESH TRAYS training may also be eligible for a stipend of up to $250.

Did you know? More than 30 million students participate in the National School Lunch Program each day, and Texas schools purchased more than $250 million in local foods during the 2022–2023 school year. The opportunity for Texas producers continues to grow!

👉 Register today: www.southernfamilyfarmersconference.org
🌿 Learn more about FRESH TRAYS: www.freshtrays.tamu.edu

Please share this opportunity with other producers who may be ready to explore the Farm-to-School market. Together, we can grow markets, strengthen communities, and bring more local food to Texas kids!

07/09/2026

🌱 Grow Your Farm-to-School Market!
Looking to expand your customer base? Join the FRESH TRAYS Farm to School Producer Program pre-conference workshop on Sunday, August 2 | 10:30 AM–3:30 PM at the LBJ Student Center.

FRESH TRAYS (Texas Farmers, Ranchers, and Educators Serving Healthy Texans and Reconnecting Agriculture to Youth in Schools) is designed to help Texas producers connect with schools and early childcare programs, opening the door to new markets while increasing children's access to fresh, local food.

During this interactive training, you'll learn how to:
✅ Navigate Farm to School opportunities
✅ Understand school food purchasing and child nutrition programs
✅ Meet food safety requirements
✅ Build relationships with schools and childcare centers

Participants who complete the program earn the Farm-to-Kids-Ready designation and may qualify for a stipend of up to $250.

💲Pre-Conference Workshop Cost: $45
https://www.southernfamilyfarmersconference.org/

💸Conference attendees may apply for a reimbursement stipend after attending, making this a great investment in your farm's future.

Don't miss this opportunity to grow your business while helping nourish the next generation of Texans!

07/04/2026

Wishing you and your family a safe, fun, and memorable Independence Day. As we celebrate our nation's freedom, may your day be filled with good food, great company, and spectacular fireworks.

Happy Fourth of July! ❤️🤍💙