The Feed

"Here at Dallas ISD's Food and Child Nutrition Services, we are so excited to welcome back our students and our staff so that we can begin a new school year! Our mission is to provide all Dallas ISD students with healthy meals at no cost so that they have everything they need to succeed. And, of course, none of this would be possible without our campus-based cafeteria staff—I am so proud of the hard work and dedication that they bring to their campuses every single day.

As we begin the 24-25 school year, we are looking ahead and planning for our best year yet. Stay tuned for updates on all the exciting things that will be happening in your school cafeteria and beyond!"

—Debi Rowley, Executive Director, Food and Child Nutrition Services

Dallas ISD will continue to serve free meals to all students under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2024-2025 school year.

The Community Eligibility Provision allows eligible schools to serve free meals to all students, regardless of income, and without any paperwork. Under the CEP, families no longer have to submit applications reporting their household income if they want to take advantage of free school meals.

This program is important to Dallas ISD because students with access to better nutrition tend to perform better academically, are more attentive in class, have better attendance, and have fewer disciplinary issues. Additionally, food costs have gone up, and in these difficult times, families with tight budgets can rest assured that their child can get at least two nutritious meals every day at school. By eliminating the out-of-pocket costs for families and reducing the stigma associated with traditional free school meal programs, the CEP has become an engine for equity.

Join us on Friday, August 2nd, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Mayor's Back to School Fair!

For 28 years, the Mayor’s Back to School Fair has helped set up the children of Dallas for success by providing essential school supplies and valuable services. The Fair, hosted by Mayor Eric Johnson, is a collaborative partnership between the City of Dallas, Dallas ISD, nonprofits, corporations, and community volunteers. We aim to serve economically disadvantaged students and their families who live in the City of Dallas and/or attend a Dallas ISD school in grades Pre-K to 12.

For more information, click here: www.mayorsbacktoschoolfair.com

Here at Dallas ISD we serve healthy breakfast options that are low in sugar and sodium so that our students and families can be confident that they are getting what they need to take their learning to the next level while also developing healthy eating habits. Many people don't realize that the recognizable name brands we serve in our school cafeterias, such as Cinnamon Toast Crunch, are very different from the products available at your local grocer. Our items have been specially made so they contain whole grains, and they are low in sugar and sodium to ensure maximum nutrition for our students.

This is just one way that Dallas ISD's FCNS is looking out for the next generation!

Executive Chef Trina Nelson

Originally from Chicago, Chef Trina Nelson made her first meal at the age of eight and continued to develop her culinary passion by watching professional chefs, such as Julia Child and Martin Yan, on TV—“I learned a lot from watching cooking shows, like how to explain what I’m doing, how to teach what I’m doing, and how to have that presence when I’m talking about food,” Chef Nelson said.

As Dallas ISD's executive chef, Trina Nelson works closely with our menu team to create recipes for our students. To get the recipes just right, Chef Nelson conducts taste testings with students across Dallas ISD so that Food and Child Nutrition Services can include their feedback during the recipe development process. In order to feed the 144,000+ students in the district, Chef Nelson understands that menu planning isn't a one-size-fits-all approach—“[w]hen we’re planning these menus and recipes, we have to keep all of our children in mind."

Dallas's food deserts are a challenge for students and families who want access to healthy foods and fresh ingredients. However, Dallas ISD is changing the game by providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, local produce, and meals that follow USDA nutritional guidelines. And these meals are free to all Dallas ISD students regardless of income.

August 4th is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! Celebrate with our recipe of the month from legendary cookbook writer Dorie Greenspan.