Choice Partners Nutrition and Product Expo Celebrates 20 Years of Collaboration and Flavor
Leave a commentOctober 9, 2025 by HCDE Communications
Choice Partners marked 20 years of collaboration and community with a candy-coated celebration at its Annual Nutrition and Product Expo on Oct. 8. The “sweet success” theme set the stage for a day full of sampling, connecting and exploring as more than 140 vendors showcased their latest products and services. From the first bite to the final handshake, attendees understood why this event remains one of the most anticipated of the year.
“Our vendors and students are helping us celebrate big this year,” Choice Partners Assistant Director Trisha Prestigiacomo said. “This is our highest participation in years, and we are grateful. We’ve had a lot of fun with our theme; we went all out, and it’s been great watching all the vendors and students enjoy themselves.”
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From the moment doors opened at the Humble Civic Center, statewide district representatives were eager to dive in. They explored aisles lined with top vendors like Labatt Food Service, Mission Restaurant Supply and dozens more showcasing their latest products. The biggest treat wasn’t the samples, but an opportunity to make meaningful, face-to-face connections with the companies that keep their cafeterias stocked and districts running strong.
“We’ve been coming to this event for about 10 years, but this is our first time bringing our students, and they are loving it,” explained Tiffany Ireland, the director of business at Fort Bend Independent School District. “This is a great opportunity for all of us because it helps us prepare for next year’s menu and gives us a good idea of what we want to bring to our district when it’s time to finalize everything in the spring.”
Gael Villalobos, a senior from Boling ISD, is on his way to college next year but is using the expo as an opportunity to leave a legacy of improved food choices in his district. He described wanting to enjoy various foods, such as American, Mexican and Asian cuisines, found at the expo.
“Our school does offer good choices, but I like the idea of adding some variety to the cafeteria menu, and it makes me feel good to bring those new options to my classmates, potentially,” he said.
Villalobos was one of over 200 students from 12 greater Houston school districts who tested food items at the expo. This year, organizers switched from an app to a sticker system where students placed a gold star next to their top five vendors. Nutrition directors use the students’ responses to evaluate food and beverage products being considered for their school cafeteria menus. Choice Partners also uses the feedback to plan for future food contracts, enabling the co-op to maintain its standard of service.
Choice Partners’ food division is one of the biggest in the state in terms of the number of members, vendors and competitively bid contracts. Food is purchased annually by school districts in the Harris County area through Choice Partners cooperative contracts for millions of student lunches.
Despite its candied flair and playful theme, the expo stayed true to its core mission of providing students with access to healthy, delicious meals. In between the sugary treats and endless samples, attendees received a first-hand look at how collaboration and feedback work to keep school cafeterias stocked with the best.
“Every year, the USDA raises the food guidelines because we want our students to be healthy,” Prestigiacomo explained. “Some students don’t have access to great food options at home, but when they come to school, we know they are getting whole-grain, low-sodium meals. Choice Partners plays a small role in that process, and we are happy to help.”
