The Common Market in the News

Webinar: Growing Farm Fresh: Real Menus, Real Results, Real Examples!

This virtual conversation featured Texas-based school nutrition directors and dietitians about how they bring Farm Fresh products to their students.

The session featured real-world examples of farm-fresh menus, budgets, and photos from districts already doing the work. The Texas Department of Agriculture also shares out about its Farm Fresh Challenge and The Common Market Texas showcases how it connects the dots from farm to school.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to expand an existing program, watch and see what's possible and start thinking about your next step!

The Common Market Texas Brings Local Produce to School Cafeterias

GO TEXAN

From pasture-raised beef and eggs to honey, apples and oranges, The Common Market Texas is bringing fresh, local food to schools across the Lone Star State. The organization has provided fresh fare to Texas school districts and their food service teams since 2018. It’s estimated that more than 510,000 students have been positively impacted by these efforts. So far, the organization has centered its efforts on K-12 throughout the metro areas of Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Local Food, Lasting Returns: What Texas Gains When We Invest in Farmers

Wallace Center

Jeremy Logan serves as Executive Director of the Texas division of The Common Market, one of the nation’s premier food hub organizations, with hubs in four regions — Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Texas, and Great Lakes. The Texas hub contracts with more than 30 farms to provide for food-insecure families in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. Those purchases also help keep farmers solvent and expand their businesses.

Aramark Healthcare+ Redefines Healthcare Dining with Farm to Chef Program

Aramark News

Aramark Healthcare+ and Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital partnered with The Common Market Texas, a nonprofit food distributor that connects small and mid-sized farms to institutional buyers, to provide fresh, seasonal produce, quality proteins and artisanal dairy — ingredients that bring vibrant flavors to traditional recipes and connect diners to local farms.

Inauguran renovado almacén de The Common Market Texas en Houston

Telemundo Houston

The Common Market Texas celebró la inauguración oficial de su renovado almacén en Houston con una ceremonia de corte de listón y recorrido por las nuevas instalaciones. El proyecto, que contó con el apoyo de la Administración de Desarrollo Económico de Estados Unidos (EDA) y fundaciones filantrópicas, incluyó más de $5 millones en renovaciones, entre ellas un espacio refrigerado de 15 mil pies cuadrados.

Commissioner Sid Miller Announces Grand Re-Opening of The Common Market Texas

Texas Department of Agriculture

“The Common Market Texas plays a vital role in connecting family farmers with schools, hospitals, and communities across our state,” said Commissioner Miller. “This grand re-opening is proof that Texas agriculture is not just surviving—it’s thriving. When we strengthen our food infrastructure, we strengthen rural economies, create jobs, and ensure that more Texans can enjoy fresh, healthy, local products grown right here in the Lone Star State.”

One year later: Common Market keeps fresh food on the table in Precinct 4

Harris County Precint 4

On August 7, Harris County Commissioners Court (Texas) approved an additional $1.2 million of federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act to extend the Common Market program. This extension will last through December 2026 and reinforces Commissioner Lesley Briones’ belief that government should work for the people it serves by providing practical, compassionate support to those in need.

“Common Market is really making a difference,” said Linda Zepeda, assistant manager at Burnett Bayland Community Center. “People will ride their bikes here or walk in the heat and rain because these boxes are sometimes the only groceries they’ll have until payday.”

Partnerships That Fill Every Table

United Way for Greater Austin

Every Monday, The Common Market delivers dozens of boxes of fresh, local produce to Neighbors Serving Neighbors pantry. The produce varies depending on what’s in season, but the need for fresh fruits and vegetables remains the same.

“I have one lady who is almost in tears every week because she’s so excited over her produce box,” Stephanie said. “Today, she got watermelon and peaches. She was ecstatic to have two different fruits.”

Small farms face big losses from cuts to USDA food programs

The Produce News

As federal support for key USDA programs winds down, small-scale Texas farmers warn of the damaging effects on local agriculture, community health and school nutrition across the state.

Jesus Lozano, founder of Triple J Organics in Mission, TX, said these cuts threaten hard-earned progress that has made locally grown produce more accessible to families and students alike.

“It’s frustrating to see fresh, nutritious fruit left behind while families in our communities go hungry,” Lozano said. “We grow high-quality produce, but without the right buyers, it’s wasted — and so is all the work that went into it.”

Hidalgo County (TX) citrus grower reacts to end of program that helped schools serve food from local farmers

KRGV 5 News

Lozano has harvested 10 acres of citrus near Mission since the mid-1990s. Over the years, Lozano has had national chains such as H-E-B and Whole Foods Market buying up his organic oranges. Lozano saw a boost in business thanks to two federal programs.

The Local Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement and the Local Food For Schools Programs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture allowed Lozano and other small farmers to sell their fruits and vegetables to schools and hospitals, thanks to over $1 billion in federal funding. Those programs are now ending.