November 2022, Volume 5, Issue 4

Nutrition & Product Expo and Vendor Exhibit

350+ attendees partake in King's Feast and Renaissance Marketplace

Choice Partners recently hosted their annual Nutrition & Product Expo and Vendor Exhibit at the Humble Civic Center with each event representing a renaissance-era theme. The King’s Feast (Nutrition & Product Expo) and the Renaissance Marketplace (Vendor Exhibit) was host to more than 350 participants from the greater Houston area. Coordinated by Trisha Prestigiacomo, assistant director of food contracts, and Kristi Nichols, contract manager, both events showcased products and services from 205 vendors.

According to Prestigiacomo, this year’s event not only had great attendance but attendees also thoroughly enjoyed the renaissance theme and the lively performances.

"Walking around and seeing staff and vendors dressed in renaissance attire with a sideshow of festive entertainment to celebrate the event was so much fun," she said.

Performers enriched the atmosphere at both events with a Cantiga, a live 3-piece band providing baroque music; Roly, the juggler who performed on a mini tricycle; and Mystica, a roaming jester who entertained with flag spinning and a sun wheel.

(Pictured upper left): Medieval juggler helped set the stage for attendee review of pizzas at the Smart Mouth booth.

(Picture upper right): Ralph Wilkins, La Porte ISD food service director, explains to students the process of rating foods at the Nutrition & Product Expo. All student attendees received red foam dragons to go along with the renaissance theme.

(Pictured lower left): Renaissance music set the overall mood for attendees and vendors.

More than 150 students representing multiple school districts throughout Harris County and surrounding districts participated in the King’s Feast. Students and child nutrition team members were able to take part in taste-testing potential food and beverage options for their schools, as well as visit with vendors who provide numerous other cafeteria products.

Vendors were satisfied with the event as many complimented the high traffic of attendees visiting their booths.

Representatives from Garner Foods stated that it was a “great turnout of directors and students.”

Additionally, a representative from Darlington Snacks said student involvement was great as well as the customer service from CP staff.

“This event was so much fun and I appreciate the CP staff who were so helpful throughout the festivities," she said.

Jeff Drury, senior director of CP, said he was thrilled to see the turnout for both events.

“The event was a success and I was proud of the great work with everyone involved,” he said.

Prior to the opening of the Renaissance Marketplace, CP offered a one-hour CEU session called Building Blocks of JOC, which was presented by Stephen Kendrick, senior manager of facilities planning, and Sarah Langlois, KBS Law Firm - Houston partner.

To learn more about the Choice Partners School Nutrition & Product Expo and Vendor Exhibit, visit ChoicePartners.org.

Both fairs were courtesy of the

king, Jeff Drury, senior director

of Choice Partners.

HCDE Interlocal Agreements with new members: Collaborative for Higher Education Shared Services (CHESS), Santa Fe, N.M.; Conquerors Place, Inc., Houston, Texas; IDEA Louisiana, Baton Rouge, La.; Mission CISD, Mission, Texas; and Rusk Independent School District, Rusk, Texas.

HCDE Out-of-State new members:  Alliant International University, San Diego, Calif.; Augusta-Richmond County Public Library System, Augusta, Ga.; Blanchard Valley Health System, Findlay, Ohio; Caroline County Public Schools, Bowling Green, Va.; Cocke County School System, Newport, Tenn.; Cypress Cove at HealthPark Florida, Fort Myers, Fla.; Farmington Public Schools, Farmington, Mich.; Greenwood Metropolitan District, Greenwood, S.C.; Hempstead School District, Hempstead, N.Y.; Houston Classical Charter School, Houston, Texas; Lee Memorial Health System, Cape Coral, Fla.; Millcreek Township School District, Erie, Penn.; Montgomery County Government, Clarksville, Tenn.; Ocean County College, Point Pleasant, N.J.; Portland Community College, Portalnd, Ore.; Rogue Community College, Grants Pass, Ore.; Rowan College at Burlington, Mount Laurel, N.J.; Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corp, Hauppage, N.Y.; and Syracuse City School District, Syracuse, N.Y.

Recently Awarded Contracts: Technology Products and Other Related Services for Food Service.

Recently Renewed Contracts: Construction JOC; Early Childhood Supplies; Fine Paper Supplies; Fuel and Lubricants; Janitorial Cleaning Services; Safety Supplies and Equipment; Trade JOC; and Transportation.