Brownsville ISD healthy eating initiative draws in millions of dollars, attention from prestige chef

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In Brownsville, there is a push for healthier eating habits underway at schools. Implementing something like a salad bar with tricolor carrots, cauliflower and broccoli is how the food and nutrition program is changing students' eating lifestyle.

"We want to make sure we cultivate and support a students relationship with food," said Jackie Cruz, head of Brownsville ISD Food and Nutrition. "They have to have an appreciation. It is one of the most important relationships they are going to have throughout their lifetime."

On Tuesday, students like Robert Gonzalez were picking out jalapenos at Terra Preta Farm in Edinburg.

"I got one," said Gonzalez as he ran away with the jalapeno in hand.

The farm is about 65 miles away from his school, Perez Elementary in Brownsville.

A second grade class spent all Tuesday learning about colorful fruits and vegetables they see in their schools' cafeteria  .

Recently, the BISD food and nutrition program was given a total of 4 million dollars in grant funding. BISD has 8 out 16 schools that will be awarded funding from this federal grant across the nation.

BISD said it is partly thanks to the Chef Ann Foundation. The district has partnered with them for the last three years. It is the only district in the valley to do so.

Chef Ann Cooper said it is impressive to see locally grown food being served to kids at schools.

"You know when you give students all of these options that are just fresh and delicious and regionally grown... I mean look at this salad it's just beautiful," said Cooper. 

In south Texas, there is an obesity rate of 43.1 percent, according to the Texas Health and Human Services latest data.

"We know that one meal and one student at a time we are building a healthier community," said Cruz.

The district will also be featured in a short BBC documentary set to release sometime this fall.