AISD to Provide Free Produce Boxes featuring Texas-Grown Foods

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Austin ISD families will receive free produce boxes at AISD curbside meal sites beginning Wednesday, July 22. 

The boxes will feature locally grown produce, such as peppers, melons, squash, carrots and other seasonal staples. The Common Market Texas, a mission-driven distributor of sustainable, local farm foods will prepare and deliver the produce boxes to AISD.  

"We are thrilled to partner in this new way with Austin ISD," said Margaret Smith, Director at The Common Market Texas.  "At The Common Market, we fully recognize the role high-quality, local food can play in nutrition and overall good health. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are leaning on our mission to serve, and we are proud to be a part of the solution during this challenging time."

Produce boxes are available at no cost to families with children under the age of 19.  Children may accept the boxes, or they will be provided to the adults accompanying children or with documentation of the children they are picking meals up for.

The free produce box distribution program is made possible through funding from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.   

"COVID-19 has resulted in food insecurity well beyond what we've experienced in the past," said Aliya Hussaini, Portfolio Director of Health at the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.  "Austin ISD has made a remarkable pivot, in a time of great uncertainty and need, to serve as a front line healthy food access point for children and families in our community.  The Common Market is working nationally to ensure that families receive high-quality, nutritious food while also supporting farmers to distribute their product and support their employees' livelihoods." 

The produce boxes will be available at each curbside meal site one time in July or August.  Distribution will take place from 9 to 11 a.m as follows:

  • Wednesday, July 22: Burnet Middle School, Dobie Middle School, Padron Elementary and T.A. Brown Elementary School.
     

  • Wednesday, July 29:  Akins Early College High School, Crockett Early College High School, Dawson Elementary School and Pleasant Hill Elementary School.
     

  • Wednesday, August 5: Anderson High School, Eastside Memorial Early College High School, LBJ Early College High School, Blanton Elementary School and Blackshear Elementary School.
     

  • Wednesday, August 12: Travis Early College High School, Govalle Elementary School, Oak Hill Elementary School, Perez Elementary School and Uphaus Early Childhood Center.

Produce boxes are available until they run out.