WHAT: Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB) and Crowley ISD celebrated the grand opening of The Eagle Market, a new Ready to Learn® in-school market at H.F. Stevens Middle School. The market was made possible through generous support from The Big Good, a Fort Worth-based nonprofit founded by Grammy Award-winning artist Leon Bridges and legendary football coach Gary Patterson.
The Eagle Market provides students and families with access to fresh produce, shelf-stable groceries, and nutritious meal options in a dignified school-based setting. This partnership expands TAFB’s Ready to Learn® initiative, which links nutrition and education by addressing food insecurity directly where students learn and grow. WHO: A collaboration between Tarrant Area Food Bank, Crowley ISD, and The Big Good, working together to increase access to healthy food and support student well-being in the community. WHEN: Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. Ribbon-cutting ceremony and community celebration featuring remarks from TAFB President & CEO Julie Butner, Crowley ISD Superintendent Dr. Michael D. McFarland, and representatives from The Big Good. WHERE: H.F. Stevens Middle School, 940 N. Crowley Road, Crowley, TX 76036 WHY: The Ready to Learn® Initiative, launched in 2021 by Tarrant Area Food Bank, addresses the critical link between hunger and education. In Tarrant County, more than 120,000 children experience food insecurity. By embedding food markets directly into schools, Ready to Learn® ensures students and families have convenient, consistent access to nutritious food, reducing stigma and improving academic outcomes.
The partnership between TAFB, Crowley ISD, and The Big Good reflects a shared commitment to creating a healthier, hunger-free future for North Texas children and families.
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’s Ready to Learn® Initiative
TARRANT AREA FOOD BANK’S READY TO LEARN® INITIATIVE: Tarrant Area Food Bank’s Ready to Learn® 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 Learn® 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 Learn® embodies TAFB’s dedication to health and hunger relief across its 13-county service area. Learn more at www.tafb.org/learn.
About Crowley ISD
Crowley ISD serves more than 17,000 students in 28 schools across Crowley, Southwest Fort Worth, and Johnson County with the mission of providing excellence in education so that all students achieve their full potential.
About THE BIG GOOD
Founded in 2020, THE BIG GOOD is a registered 501(c)(3) organization combining two Ft. Worth community leaders— Grammy Award-winning recording artist Leon Bridges and legendary football coach Gary Patterson. THE BIG GOOD raises awareness and charitable contributions for partner organizations addressing critical unmet needs in the Fort Worth community. The organization fundraises for its partners through various campaigns and annual events to make the greatest community impact.
