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Tarrant Area Food Bank and Crowley ISD report Ready to Learn markets serving families at school campuses
Summary
Tarrant Area Food Bank representatives told the Crowley ISD board that Ready to Learn in-school markets operate at 10 schools with 13 nonprofit partners and reported more than 13,000 meals served to 220+ families at two Crowley markets; sponsors provided a $100,000 grant for set-up and initial operations.
Representatives from the Tarrant Area Food Bank updated the Crowley ISD Board of Trustees on in-school Ready to Learn markets that connect families with groceries and supportive services.
Jared and Viviana (Tarrant Area Food Bank) said the network serves 13 counties and works with more than 100 school markets; in Crowley ISD, 10 schools partner with 13 local nonprofits to operate markets. "Through those two markets, we've been able to provide 13,121 meals to over 220 families just through those two markets in the last two years," a bank representative said.
Officials credited a $100,000 donation from a foundation that helped set up market spaces and purchase food. The markets also provide nutrition education and on-site resource teams to assist families with federal nutrition program applications.
At H.F. Stevens, Eagle Market coordinators said the campus market served about 20 families and roughly 75 household members in its first two months. Trustees and attendees praised the partnership as a way to address food insecurity and connect families to resources.
Why it matters: School-based markets reduce barriers to food access for families with students attending campus, and trustees viewed the partnership as a scalable model for other campuses that may face food insecurity.
Next steps: District and partner staff will continue operating the markets and seek ways to expand participation and awareness.
