Rachel Talebpour has been named the Director of Child Nutrition for Bastrop ISD. This role oversees the district's child nutrition operation, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. She began her new position on July 1. 

“What truly drives me is care. I care deeply about feeding kids well. I care about the staff who show up every day to serve. And I care about the community that entrusts us with that responsibility. Whether it’s supporting campus leaders, decorating food lines to make lunchtime more joyful, or finding ways to reduce waste while improving quality, I lead with heart and purpose,” said Talebpour.

With over 15 years of experience in K–12 food service management—including her current role as General Manager for Taher at Bastrop ISD, she brings not only extensive operational and leadership experience but also a deep commitment to building a program that nourishes, supports, and uplifts every child. Prior to working with Taher, she was a Resident District Manager for SFE (Southwest Foodservice Excellence), based in Austin, where she managed over $10 million in annual food service budgets and supervised more than 200 staff. Before that role, she was a General Manager for Elior North America for thirteen years (Preferred Meals) in Texas.

“I’m fully committed to making this endeavor a success and building a strong, connected team that reflects the heart of this community. I’m excited to serve the Bastrop ISD community and look forward to all we’ll accomplish together,” added Talebpour. 

“Rachel is a passionate, thoughtful leader who truly understands the important role child nutrition plays in the overall success of our students. Her commitment to quality, innovation, and community makes her an outstanding choice to lead our Child Nutrition Department, and we’re excited to have her in this role,” said Mike White, Chief Financial Officer.

Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas-Pan American. 

She and her husband, Ahmad, live in South Austin. As a lifelong Texas, she said it means a lot to serve a district so close to home. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, and spending time with their three children, who all live in Austin, as well as their pets.