The Aldine Independent School District’s Child Nutrition Department has been named a recipient of the Cream of the Crop Award, a top recognition from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) for its outstanding participation in the annual Farm Fresh Challenge.

The Farm Fresh Challenge is held every October and encourages school districts across Texas to celebrate and incorporate local foods into their meal programs. To earn the Cream of the Crop designation, districts must commit to the Challenge by serving locally sourced foods, educating students about local products and nutrition, and sharing their efforts publicly on social media.

Aldine’s Child Nutrition Department met and exceeded these expectations, demonstrating its continued commitment to preparing and serving high-quality, nutritious meals to all students and staff throughout the district.

“This recognition is well-deserved,” said Susan D’Amico. “This achievement reflects the hard work of the Child Nutrition team, and we are committed to ensuring students have ongoing access to nutritious, fresh meals while deepening their understanding of food origins and agricultural practices.”

In addition to its daily meal service, Aldine ISD also offers evening meals at all middle schools, ninth-grade centers, high schools, and several elementary campuses. These schools host after-school academic and enrichment programs, and students involved in school-sponsored organizations or athletic programs are also eligible to participate in the evening meal service.

By embracing local agriculture and promoting nutrition education, the Aldine ISD Child Nutrition Department continues to lead by example in supporting student health and well-being.