Roberto Cuellar Jr., Laredo ISD Child Nutrition Program Director, recently attended the annual Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) MegaCon Conference and returned with four significant awards. Among 1,250 Texas school districts, LISD was one of six child nutrition programs recognized for its excellence in menu quality.
This past May, TDA Commissioner, Sid Miller, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) commended Cuellar for his leadership role in improving meal quality and summer nutrition, presenting him with the prestigious gold-level Turnip the Beet Award.
The Turnip the Beet Award encompasses excellence in summer meals, emphasizing menu quality, variety, and student engagement. Panelists evaluate many factors including menu excellence, utilization of fresh products and local produce, and the participation of students in school activities.
“It is a Laredo ISD award. It is just something great knowing I am a product of LISD. Everything I do is very near to my heart,” Cuellar said.
Along with getting awarded the Turnip the Beet Award, LISD received three other awards for its exceptional nutrition program. The Best of the Bunch Award acknowledged the quality of the menu that LISD offers students in addition to the flavor profile and student engagement. This award also includes the multiple nutritional events hosted together with the compliance of regulations.
Through the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, a project only available to elementary schools, Cuellar was allocated the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Pear-fection Award accompanying the Best of the Bunch Award and the Turnip the Beet Award.
The Pear-fection Award is given to school districts when they incorporate lessons and a variety of exotic and seasonal fruits and vegetables, such as dragon fruit, star fruit, bananas, apples, broccoli, and baby carrots to the school curriculum. LISD provided literature on the benefits of fruits and vegetables, and a menu.
With full participation, 20 LISD elementary schools were awarded the Farm Fresh grant for the second year, which will be offered to elementary school students in between breakfast and lunch. This recognition allowed students to engage in their school activities while learning of the importance of fruits and vegetables.
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Kickoff was held in December, which provided an enrichment in student engagement. Heights Elementary School hosted a Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Parade where students dressed up as their favorite fruit or vegetable. Other schools participated in this program by decorating a bulletin board with different fruits and vegetables and their importance in consuming them.
Cuellar was also awarded the Farm Fresh Challenge Top Tier Award. This award consisted of the farm for school initiative as well as the offering of local products and the use of local dairy. Cuellar received a badge to wear and a certificate from Commissioner Sid Miller of the TDA.
For the first time, Laredo ISD was invited to the Farm Fresh Foundation where Director Roberto Cuellar Jr. was one of two panelists.
Cuellar was highlighted for his excellent work in offering meals and engaging students with events like the Food Expo Extravaganza hosted in December and the school garden initiative. Recognizing this experience, Director Cuellar Jr. adds “I am humbled and honored, I always say hunger takes no vacation and with that, I can say LISD is one of the best. We offer optimal nutrition for children to live long lives.”
Providing students with plenty of opportunities to be engaged on their campus, Cuellar even had teachers and parents volunteer at his events, providing enlightening experiences between the LISD community. At the school garden, Cuellar helped students in their planting. “I’m a hands-on person, I assisted in putting soil, and they planted the seeds, and that brings me a smile because I know that the students had fun.”
Cuellar stresses the importance of a collaborative effort, especially in the involvement of students, principals, and the networking with parents. He believes that there is hope and optimism if people are taking baby steps and time to be engaged. “I want to thank Dr. Rios because I know she’s a champion with everything she does for Laredo ISD, including the Laredo ISD’s Child Nutrition Program,” says Cuellar “At the end of the day, we’re all family. Together at LISD, we are leading the way, inspiring change, supporting growth, and driving results.”