Klein ISD’s Commitment to Farm Fresh Food Celebrated by Texas Ag Commissioner

By Klein ISD Jessica Williams

November 2^nd, 2025

KLEIN, TEXAS—French and Nitsch Elementary students received a special lesson in Texas agriculture this week when Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and representatives from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) stopped by to celebrate Klein ISD’s participation in the Texas Farm Fresh Challenge.

The visit was part of Klein ISD’s ongoing effort to connect students with local farms, farmers, and foods that make Texas agriculture thrive.

“We’re honored to welcome Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture to Klein ISD,” Klein ISD Superintendent Dr. Jenny McGown said. “This visit celebrated the incredible work of our Nutrition and Food Services team, who nourish both minds and bodies every day with fresh, Texas-grown foods that come straight from our local farms.”

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller visits French Elementary

The morning began with the Mobile Dairy Classroom, presented by Southwest Dairy Farmers, where students from French and Nitsch Elementary schools learned how milk travels from farm to table through a live demonstration featuring a real dairy cow.

For Dusty Boullion of Southwest Dairy Farmers, presenter for the Mobile Dairy Classroom, sharing the story of agriculture with students is a personal passion.

“It’s exciting for me,” Mr. Boullion said. “There are a lot of times that these kids don’t know where their milk comes from, and they don’t know about cows, and so it’s exciting to be able to teach these kids.”

Commissioner Miller also toured the school garden of French Elementary with Principal Lisa Campbell and French Elementary PTO parents, who shared how their school community works together to maintain and grow their produce.

Later during the visit, French students participated in a local produce taste test and enjoyed a lunch menu filled with Texas products, including:

Selfie Pizza – Alpha Pizza, Waller, Texas
Mango Wrangler Slush – Peterson Farms, Rio Grande Valley
Red Texas Grapefruit – Rio Grande Valley
Milk – Oak Farms, Stephenville, Texas

Tx Ag Commissioner Sid Miller Visits French Elementary

Klein ISD’s Commitment to Farm Fresh Food Celebrated by Texas Ag Commissioner

Nitsch Elementary students enjoy a Mobile Dairy Farm Classroom experience

French students were hands-on with a smoothie bike, blending apples to create homemade applesauce made from locally grown Texas apples. The activity combined nutrition and fun to bring the Farm Fresh message to life.

Klein ISD’s dedication to sourcing local foods hasn’t gone unnoticed. The district’s Nutrition and Food Services team recently received the Texas Department of Agriculture’s “Cream of the Crop” Award, the highest honor for Farm Fresh Challenge participants. To qualify, districts must serve six different Texas-grown foods representing at least three meal components, with a minimum of two local products featured each week during the challenge.

Klein ISD has also been recognized in previous years with the “Best of the Bunch” award. To qualify for “Best of the Bunch,” districts must serve three different local foods, representing 3 different meal components.

“We’re proud to have earned the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Cream of the Crop award for serving fresh, locally sourced foods,” Klein ISD Director of Food Service Tiffany Muecke said. “We love giving our students the opportunity to enjoy delicious Texas-grown produce while supporting local farmers. This recognition reflects the excellence, innovation, and heart of our Klein ISD Child Nutrition team, who ensure every student has access to high-quality, Texas-grown meals.”

Rooted in Texas, Growing Toward the Future

Every day, Klein ISD’s Nutrition and Food Service teams serve more than 11,000 breakfasts and 32,000 lunches across the district, offering fresh fruits and vegetables at every campus. The district invests more than $2.3 million annually in local products through Texas-based vendors to ensure students receive the freshest, most nutritious meals possible.

Commissioner Miller’s visit served as both a celebration and a reminder that in Klein ISD, learning extends far beyond the classroom! We are so proud of and grateful for our amazing Nutrition and Food Services team for all they do to provide our students with healthy, delicious meals.