Initiatives
Farmer's Market Scavenger Hunt!
October is Farm Fresh Month! To celebrate, all elementary students are invited to visit a local farmer's market and complete this scavenger hunt. Download the hunt in English or Spanish, check off each item as you find them, and make notes with details about what you discover.
Students who submit their scavenger hunt will be presented with a “Local Foods Leader” certificate in their classroom and receive a seed packet to grow their own food! Include a photo of yourself at the farmer's market with your submission to be featured on the cafeteria digital menu screens for peers to see!
Unlimited Fruits and Veggies!
To encourage fruit and vegetable intake and ensure students leave the cafeteria full and fueled, all students who purchase a complete meal have unlimited access to fruits and vegetables at no additional charge during that meal period.
How it works:
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On their first trip through the line, students may choose fruits and vegetables from both the self-serve bulk bar and the whole fruit basket.
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If coming back for seconds, students may select from the whole fruit basket at no additional charge in the same meal period.
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Please note: fruit juice and select hot vegetables (such as fries and beans) are not included in this promotion.
"Clean Label" Initiative
We prioritize products free from:
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Artificial Dyes
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High Fructose Corn Syrup
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Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
Good Food Purchasing Program
Lake Travis ISD Food and Nutrition Services is working to transform public dollars into public good by participating in the Good Food Purchasing Program, which encourages institutions to align their food purchases with 5 value categories: Local Economies, Environmental Sustainability, Valued Workforce, Animal Welfare, and Nutrition.
The folks at the Center for Good Food Purchasing help us dive deep into the details of our food purchases, set achievable goals, and track progress! By leveraging our institutional buying power, we are helping to support a more transparent, sustainable, and resilient food system.
Hydroponic Flex Farm & Lettuce
As part of our commitment to hands-on learning and sustainable food practices, LTISD proudly operates an on-site Hydroponic Flex Farm. This indoor growing system allows students to experience the science of agriculture firsthand while producing fresh, nutrient-rich leafy greens right on campus. Harvests are served in school meals, helping students make the connection between the classroom, the cafeteria, and their local food system!
To supplement our home-grown lettuce, Lake Travis ISD serves local, hydroponic, pesticide-free lettuce from True Harvest Farms in Belton, TX at all campuses!
Commitment to Sustainability
To reduce waste and support sustainable practices, students now self-serve fruits and vegetables from bulk containers in the café. Whenever possible, meals are served on compostable trays, plates, and bowls. In partnership with researchers from Texas State University, Lake Travis ISD is also working to study and reduce food waste across our campuses.