Award-Winning Commitment to Local Food: Lumberton ISD Honored with Top State Recognition at TDA MegaCon

Lumberton ISD's Director of Child Nutrition, Brittany Williams, has returned from the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) annual MegaCon not just enriched by new ideas and professional development—but also with the highest possible honor in hand: the Cream of the Crop Farm Fresh Award.

While the district had previously been announced as a recipient, the recognition became official at the MegaCon event, capping a year of extraordinary dedication to local food, education, and community engagement. The Cream of the Crop distinction, awarded through TDA’s annual Farm Fresh Challenge, is reserved for institutions that exceed expectations in promoting Texas-grown foods in school meals, teaching nutrition, and actively sharing their efforts with the community.

“This award is a direct reflection of our incredible Child Nutrition staff, whose creativity and commitment made every part of this initiative meaningful for our students,” said the Child Nutrition Director Brittany Williams, who attended the event and accepted the award on behalf of the district.

The Farm Fresh Challenge, held each October, encourages Child Nutrition Program operators to serve local foods, integrate agricultural education into classrooms, and share stories of their progress online. To earn the “Cream of the Crop” status, participants must meet rigorous benchmarks, including offering a wide variety of local foods, providing educational activities, and engaging in robust social media outreach.

A Bumper Crop of Activities

This year’s efforts included an impressive range of locally sourced menu items such as:

• Beef tips from Yellow Rose Meat Market
• Grass-fed beef burgers from Pryor’s Cattle
• Texas-grown apples and watermelon
• Local honey from Moore Honey
• Low-fat milk from Texas dairies
• Rice from Doguet’s Rice Milling Company

Beyond the cafeteria, students were immersed in food and farm education through engaging activities. Highlights included:

• “Try Days” featuring unique fruit tastings
• Guest presentations by local producers Moore Honey and Yellow Rose Meat Market
• Doguet’s Rice Education Day, including a farming video, activity books, and a themed lunch
• Literacy Under the Lights, where the district donated books about healthy eating to young readers
• Fruit-focused lessons in Kindergarten classrooms, ending with collaborative class graphs based on favorite fruits

Recognition for Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day

In addition to the top-tier Farm Fresh honor, the district also received an Honorable Mention for the inaugural Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day, further underscoring their deep commitment to agricultural education.

“It was a proud moment not only to receive these awards but to be recognized alongside other passionate professionals from across Region 5,” said the director. “Getting to meet Commissioner Sid Miller, TDA Director Lena Wilson, and Mr. and Mrs. Phillips from Texas Country Reporter added to the excitement and inspiration.”

Planting Seeds for the Future

Returning from MegaCon, the district is not only celebrating the accolades but also carrying back renewed energy and fresh ideas to continue elevating their Child Nutrition Program.

For more information on the Farm Fresh Challenge, visit Texas Department of Agriculture’s website or follow your local district’s social media pages to see their efforts in action.