Contacts:
Jared Williams, Tarrant Area Food Bank
VP of Government & External Relations
Phone: 817-857-7167
Email: jared.williams@tafb.org
Amanda Brim, Lewisville ISD
Chief Communications Officer
Phone: 469-948-8108
Email: brima@lisd.net
Tarrant Area Food Bank North and Lewisville ISD Launch Ready to Learn™ In-School Market Ahead of the Holiday Break
Tarrant Area Food Bank and Lewisville ISD celebrate the grand opening of the CHOICES Market at Lewisville Learning Center to serve students and families in Lewisville ISD.
[Lewisville, TX] – On Friday, December 20, 2024, Tarrant Area Food Bank North (TAFB North) and Lewisville ISD celebrated the grand opening of the CHOICES Market at Lewisville Learning Center (LLC), the 100th in-school market established through TAFB’s Ready to Learn™ program. This milestone underscores TAFB’s commitment to providing families with convenient access to nutritious food.
This initiative was made possible through the generous contributions of Tarrant Area Food Bank’s donors, whose support continues to drive the success of the Ready to Learn™ initiative. Furnished with coolers, shelving, and stocked with fresh, nutritious food, the CHOICES Market offers families within the school community a convenient and essential resource to combat food insecurity.
TAFB launched the Ready to Learn™ initiative in 2021 to address the needs of the 1 in 4 children facing hunger across its 13-county service area. By expanding access to nutritious food and offering youth nutrition education and resources, Ready to Learn™ ensures school-aged children are prepared to succeed in the classroom and beyond. This new market at the Lewisville Learning Center reflects TAFB’s commitment to creating healthier, hunger-free communities.
“The opening of the CHOICES Market at the Lewisville Learning Center demonstrates the power of collaboration and community support,” said Julie Butner, President & CEO of Tarrant Area Food Bank. “We are thrilled to partner with Lewisville ISD to provide this critical resource for families facing food insecurity, ensuring students have access to the most essential school supply: food.”
Lewisville ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lori Rapp expressed her appreciation for the partnership: “We are deeply grateful partner with the Tarrant Area Food Bank to help address food insecurity. The CHOICES Market will serve as a vital resource for our families, helping students focus on learning without the burden of hunger.”
With the addition of the CHOICES Market, TAFB has achieved its 2024 goal of doubling the number of Ready to Learn™ in-school markets, expanding access to fresh, nutritious food to over 100 schools across its service area.
“At Tarrant Area Food Bank, we are dedicated to supporting children and families year-round, especially during the holiday season when the need for food assistance becomes even more urgent,” said Butner. “The Ready to Learn™ in-school markets address childhood hunger by ensuring students and their families have consistent access to nutritious meals. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with Lewisville ISD and our incredible community supporters.”
TAFB North, the regional branch serving Denton, Wise, and Cooke Counties, plays a key role in this initiative by collaborating with local partners to alleviate hunger, improve health, and ensure every child and family in Denton County has access to nutritious meals during the holiday season. The CHOICES Market provides families in Lewisville ISD with healthy food in a convenient and accessible location, fostering brighter futures for students and their families.
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About Tarrant Area Food Bank
TARRANT AREA FOOD BANK (TAFB): One of the largest charitable organizations in its 13-county service area, TAFB provides over 1 million nutritious meals weekly and food & nutrition education programs to those facing hunger through its network of 400+ partner agencies, volunteers, and donors. As a member of Feeding America, TAFB empowers communities to alleviate hunger and improve health. For more information, visit www.tafb.org.
About Tarrant Area Food Bank North
TARRANT AREA FOOD BANK North (TAFB North): Based in Denton, Texas, TAFB North is the regional branch of Tarrant Area Food Bank, serving Denton, Wise, and Cooke Counties. Through its network of local partner agencies, dedicated volunteers, and food assistance programs, TAFB North ensures access to nutritious meals and essential resources for those facing hunger. This branch supports TAFB’s mission to alleviate hunger and improve health in the communities it serves. For more information, visit www.tafb.org/north.
About Tarrant Area Food Bank’s Ready to LearnTM Initiative
TARRANT AREA FOOD BANK’S READY TO LEARNTM INITIATIVE: Tarrant Area Food Bank’s Ready to LearnTM Initiative alleviates childhood and college hunger by linking nutrition and education. Partnering with schools, colleges, and local agencies, the initiative provides meals, youth programs, and resources to help students thrive. Key efforts include expanding in-school markets, offering youth nutrition education, and establishing the Ready to LearnTM Community Resource Center at TAFB’s Fort Worth headquarters. This center will feature a community market, cooking and nutrition classes, a children’s learning garden, and other services addressing the root causes of hunger. Ready to LearnTM embodies TAFB’s dedication to health and hunger relief across its 13-county service area. Learn more at www.tafb.org/ready-to-learn.
About Lewisville ISD
From the beginning, Lewisville Independent School District has committed to ensuring all students are confident, equipped with the knowledge and skills to thrive and adapt for their future. Follow Lewisville ISD on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to see more student experiences throughout the school year or visit LISD.net for more information about joining the LISD family.
