About

The Texas Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Division administers 12 federal child and special nutrition programs and more than $2.5 billion in federal money annually used to fund the programs for the State of Texas.

These nutrition programs exemplify "eating right" for Texans of every age and background and help them build a bridge to success. Everyone plays a role in teaching children the 3E's of Healthy Living - Education, Exercise and Eating Right.


TDA supports providers of nutrition assistance by helping ensure accountability and the efficient use of taxpayer dollars to nourish Texans in need. By striving to put Texans on the path to wellness through TDA nutrition programs and ensuring those programs operate with efficiency and accuracy, Food and Nutrition works to fulfill its mission — To advance compliant USDA nutrition programs through effective partnerships and educational resources.

 

The Executive Team oversees the entire Food and Nutrition division and includes the Assistant Commissioner, Administrators, as well as eight sections, each led by a director. 
 

Guiding Principles

Vision:

To increase equitable access to healthy meals for Texans by effectively administering USDA food and nutrition assistance programs.
Mission: To advance compliant USDA nutrition programs through effective partnerships and educational resources.
Values:
EPIC Core Values
Excellence
We strive for quality customer service and quality administration of food and nutrition programs.
Professional
We create a work environment that is open-minded, inspirational, and inclusive to creative ideas and diversity.
Integrity
We act in good faith with all stakeholders, internally and externally.
Collaboration
We strive to be efficient and effective in all aspects to deliver high quality services.
Management
Assistant Commissioner
 

Lena Wilson

Administrators
  
Laura Benavidez    


 Anwar Sophy

Directors
 
  • Jaclyn Cantu, USDA Foods
  • Kelli Wise, Program Advancement
  • Donna Thomas, Compliance and Collaboration
  • Geoffrey Horni, Program Eligibility Support
  • Alfreda Maddox, Food and Nutrition Audit
  • Annette McBride, Community Operations
 

 Updated March 2023

Assistance available in English and Spanish. Please call 877-TEX-MEAL (877-839-6325) for help. Additional translations services available as well.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
 

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
 

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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