Texas Border Business
PHARR – The PSJA ISD Child Nutrition Program (CNP) celebrated the Local Products Challenge to “Be Local, Teach Local, Be Social” at the PSJA Early Head Start Campus which houses children 0-3 years old on March 12, 2020.
The event was part of a challenge by the Texas Department of Agriculture to use more local products in the school district’s menus, according to Child Nutrition Director Imelda Palacios.
PSJA Child Nutrition Head Chef Rodrigo Puente demonstrated two of his recipes—including some scrumptious-looking quesadillas made from local Texas ingredients and the on-campus school garden.
Students even got the chance to pick carrots and radishes from their garden.
“It’s important to let the kids know that we are growing our own vegetables especially in the Valley, that we can consume it, and that it will bring more economic growth to our region,” said PSJA Child Nutrition Dietitian Karina Beckmann.
PSJA Superintendent of School Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo attended the event and was pleased to see the engagement and collaboration.
“This is the best time to start educating our students about proper nutrition and how plans grow,” he said. “I commend the work of our Child Nutrition program for always looking for ways to engage with our students and staff to keep us healthy.”
PSJA ISD continues to provide meals to students during this COVID-19 school closure, every Wednesday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the PSJA Child Nutrition-Transportation Complex on Stewart Rd and Business 83 in San Juan. Families receive up to three days’ worth of meals for all of their children up to 18 years of age.
 celebrated the Local Products Challenge to "Be Local, Teach Local, Be Social" at the PSJA Early Head Start Campus which houses children 0-3 years old on March 12, 2020.){kind=link}