345 Young Food Explorers and One Amazing Farm-to-Kids Season

As the school year ended, so did another unforgettable session of Farm-to-Kids and what a year it’s been! We had the incredible opportunity to connect with 345 curious and enthusiastic students, bringing the world of Texas fresh, local food into classrooms and onto taste buds.

Since the first day, our students continue to amaze us with their openness to try new things and their excitement about where their food comes from and what they will learn to cook. This year, our session lined up with some delicious vegetables that are often overlooked or unfamiliar. Rainbow Swiss chard made a colorful splash, black garlic added a sweet-savory punch to our Ramen, and a variety of mushrooms quickly became a surprising favorite among students. Yes, mushrooms!

One of the most memorable experiences for many students was making their own Strawberries and Cream. Each student got to choose between chocolate or vanilla cream, pairing it with locally grown strawberries that were juicy, bright, and bursting with yummy flavor. They also had the chance to learn how to use both a hand mixer and a stand mixer, getting hands-on experience whipping up their own cream from Texas Cows. It was a sweet and simple way to end the session while exploring the meaning of local food along with the joy of making something delicious from scratch.

Throughout our sessions, we continue to build students’ confidence in their food choices, they continue to ask thoughtful questions about how and where their food comes from, and most importantly, develop a deeper connection to their local food system. The combination of hands-on lessons, tastings, and field trips to the farmers market offered a powerful and meaningful way to bridge classroom learning with real world impact, bringing the farm-to-table journey to life in a way that was both educational and inspiring.

We’re so proud of every student who participated and every moment of discovery we shared. Thank you to our partner schools (ElginISD ACE Afterschool program), and most importantly to our local food farmers.

Until or next session, keep exploring, keep tasting, and remember: great food starts close to home.

Enjoy your Summer!

-Ms. Barbie