Sustainable Food Center

Causes: Education, Educational Services, Food, Food, Agriculture & Nutrition, Food Banks & Pantries

Mission: The Sustainable Food Center (SFC) believes that food security is a basic human right. Through its Policy Program, SFC publishes reports and works with local, state, regional and national leaders to promote nutrition and health, sustainable growing practices, and better access to food. Upon incorporation in 1993, SFC studied food access in low-income neighborhoods of Austin, Texas. Based on this study, SFC published a report, "Access Denied," which identified an inadequacy of food access and led to a city-sponsored addition of a "grocery bus" line to connect neighborhoods with markets. Following the success of a "Grocery Bus" for low income neighborhoods in East Austin, SFC moved forward to develop Farmers' markets near WIC clinics and next launced the La Cocina Alegre (Happy Kitchen) cooking school for individuals and families at higher risk for nutrition-related disease. Additionally, through a Youth and Community Gardens Program, SFC operates six demonstration and food production sites, which provide educational and micro-enterprise projects for low-income families and youth. In delivering its programs, SFC partners with more than 35 local organizations to reach people in their own communities, to increase program effectiveness, and to maximize donor investments. SFC's partners include universities, elementary and secondary schools, human service agencies, religious organizations, gardening affiliates, health providers, public agencies and neighborhood organizations. Community and Youth Gardens Program (growing food); a Farmers' Market Program (buying, selling and distributing food and promoting sustainable growing practices) the Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre Program (using and cooking food) and Policy Outreach (improving local food systems).