As autumn temperatures kept the courtyard cool throughout the late morning, nearly 2,500 Houston MSTC High School students headed outdoors for an early homecoming celebration with lunch hosted by HISD Nutrition Services chefs and staff.

The outdoor fare was part of a new Tailgate/School Pop Up program that encourages students to enjoy the good food provided daily by Nutrition Services campus kitchens.

It also gives students a chance to enjoy activities during their campus lunch period that were previously restricted because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Tailgate lunch encourages a culture of caring among staff and students,” Houston MSTC associate principal Federico Hernandez said. “We are so glad that Nutrition Services can coordinate this type of atmosphere.”

Nutrition Services’ catering department, Houston Eats, coordinated the event and has arranged for several of these types of lunches to be offered to participating schools.

The campus cooks and Houston Eats staff prepared and served grilled hotdogs and hamburgers, chicken wings, fresh salad greens, coleslaw, kernel corn, apples, and milk.

“It’s so rewarding when students enjoy the good food we prepare and thank us by saying how delicious it is,” Nutrition Services Operations Manager Carol Chin said. “We are passionate about feeding our students.”

Students attending this Tailgate event also got to enjoy festive games such as cornhole, horseshoes, and Jenga Giant.

A tailgate program goal is to offer three events per day, Monday through Friday, while being coordinated through each school’s Nutrition Services operation manager.