AISD’s CNS Department Ranks 2nd in Houston Area in Kroger, Children At Risk’s School Food Rankings

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Aldine ISD’s Child Nutrition Services Department was ranked second in the Houston area and third in the state among large school districts in Kroger and Children at Risk’s School Food Rankings.

Aldine ISD’s Child Nutrition Services Department was ranked second in the Houston area in Kroger and Children At Risk’s School Food Rankings.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, March 2. The 2021 Kroger School Food Rankings evaluate how school districts across Texas provide meals to low-income area school children by focusing on meal participation rates and after-school meal programs offered in each district.

This year, Aldine’s CNS Department, and school nutrition departments across the state, went the extra mile to address food insecurity needs in their community at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and found ways to make those efforts sustainable as it continues.

Dani Sheffield, Aldine ISD’s Executive Director of Child Nutrition Services, participated in a virtual press conference on Facebook, moderated by Mandi Kimball, Vice-President and Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs for Children At Risk. Kimball was joined by Brian Greene, President and CEO of the Houston Food Bank, and April Martin, Corporate Affairs Manager of Kroger.

Sheffield explained Aldine’s plan to continue feeding its students during the pandemic.

“Aldine ISD is ensuring students learning at home and students learning at school have access to breakfast and lunch meals for an entire week,” she said. “Students learning at home have access to curbside meals distributed two times per week at 13 school sites. Additionally, seven days’ worth of heat-and-eat meals is offered for free to all children 18 years of age and younger.

“Students learning at school may select free breakfast and lunch daily along with Weekend Meal Bundles every Friday that includes Saturday and Sunday breakfast and lunch. Mobile Breakfast is offered at all grade levels to students in various locations throughout each campus for convenience and safety.”

Sheffield added that AISD had served 56,000 Weekend Meal Bundles since the beginning of the 2020-21 school year.

She added that the success of the undertaking had been a team effort.

“We are fortunate to have a wonderful staff and wonderful support from our administration,” she said. “The Aldine community has trust in the Child Nutrition Services Department to do a good job. We have provided collective and continuous communication through social media to all stakeholders, including parents and district staff. We offer good food products, and our dedication to service is visible at all of our schools.”