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A big shoutout goes to Dina Lumbreras-Lopez, our 2026 Child Nutrition Employee of the Year! 

Dina is a total Child Nutrition rockstar at Harlingen South High School. Whether she’s prepping fresh, healthy meals or greeting every student with a huge smile, she truly goes above and beyond every single day. 

We are so lucky to have her on the team!

It is with great pride that we recognize our hard-working and dedicated Child Nutrition staff for being nominated for 2026 Child Nutrition Excellence in Service Employees of the Year!

Anyone can find a job, but a true career filled with purpose, longevity, and fulfillment is something only a few ever truly experience. This photo represents more than four decades of such a career. A lifetime of devoted service that will leave a lasting impact on students and staff to come.

Thank you for selflessly dedicating your life’s work to improving the lives of students through Child Nutrition. Your commitment, compassion, and service have not only nourished bodies, but also hearts and futures.

With the collaboration of HCISD's Child Nutrition program, our Transition Academy students have successfully completed training for their food handler's licenses, orientation, and civil rights training.  Students will be working in our kitchens at HHS and HSHS starting this September.

Guadalupe Rivera, a dedicated Harlingen CISD Child Nutrition department member, has achieved remarkable success in his health journey and has inspired others. Born in Greeley, Colorado, and later settling in Texas, Guadalupe has called the Valley his home for most of his life.

He showcased his commitment to wellness by participating in the 2023 It's Time Texas Community Challenge, where he excelled individually and as part of a team. Guadalupe was part of a group effort that resulted in a first-place victory for the most weight loss among his team of 18 participants. He and his wife also secured second and third place in the individual 5% body weight loss category.

Guadalupe continued his health journey into 2024 by participating in The Challenge-RGV. He was part of a team of nine participants who earned another first-place victory in the large group category, shedding a remarkable 130 pounds collectively. Individually, Guadalupe shed an impressive 28 pounds, equivalent to 17.8% of his body weight, over three months.

Guadalupe's fitness journey is a testament to his commitment to health and serves as an inspiration to others in our community. Through consistency and discipline in both nutrition and fitness, Guadalupe not only met but exceeded his weight loss goals. Now, feeling more energized and proud, he emphasizes the importance of prioritizing health and wellness, setting a positive example for those around him.

H-E-B, partnering with the Harlingen Area Educational Foundation, helped to support this first-of-its-kind sustainability initiative to reduce foam tray waste at Travis, Bowie, and Sam Houston Elementary Schools.

• H-E-B helps expand recycling in HCISD school cafeterias

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller Recognizes The Harlingen CISD Child Nutrition Department For Achievements In The Farm Fresh Challenge.

Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the nutrition team at Harlingen Consolidated ISD completed his 2023 Fall Farm Fresh Challenge.  Throughout October, the Harlingen Consolidated ISD Child Nutrition department offered locally sourced Texas foods and provided agricultural learning activities to strengthen children's appreciation for healthy Texas foods.  They shared their achievements on social media throughout the challenge to further champion and promote local food for kids. 

"Participating in the Farm Fresh Challenge has a real impact on students, communities, and local agricultural economies," Commissioner Miller said.  "Connecting Texas farmers with federal nutrition programs builds healthy habits that can last a lifetime.  I am proud of all the operators that participated in this year's challenge, and I thank them for the hard work they do to keep young Texans healthy all year." 

The Harlingen Consolidated ISD Child Nutrition department joined 191 other schools and childcare providers for the annual event, pledging to Eat Local, Teach Local, and Be Social.  By serving healthy and balanced meals, offering nutrition education, and prioritizing local Texas foods, this team has demonstrated dedication to the well-being of their students and charges while recognizing the efforts of local farmers and ranchers to provide high-quality food.

"I am thrilled to hear the exciting news that the Harlingen Consolidated ISD Child Nutrition department has successfully completed the 2023 Fall Farm Fresh Challenge," stated Judy Baker, Director of Food Services for Harlingen CISD.   "It brings me immense pride to see our dedicated team's efforts to provide our students with fresh, nutritious, and locally sourced Texas foods not only during the period of the Farm Fresh Challenge but throughout the year."

Harlingen CISD Child Nutrition Department Bringing More Local Foods To Students During Texas Department Of Agriculture Farm Fresh Challenge

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller recognized Harlingen CISD for working to support homegrown and healthy kids with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Farm Fresh Challenge. The Harlingen CISD Child Nutrition department has pledged to serve more Texas products, offer agricultural learning activities, and share their Farm Fresh efforts on social media. The Farm Fresh Challenge for the National School Lunch Program is part of Commissioner Miller’s Texas Farm Fresh Initiative.

By participating in the Farm Fresh Challenge, the Harlingen CISD Child Nutrition department supports local agricultural communities by keeping their considerable buying power close to home. The Farm Fresh Challenge also helps schools connect with agricultural producers while ensuring students learn about the hardworking men and women who produce their food. These experiences can translate into a life-long and community-wide appreciation for healthy lifestyles and buying local.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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