Using DDIP dollars, Marquel fills a shopping bag with abundant greens and crunchy carrots—healthy food for her growing boys that she could not otherwise afford. “Turning $20 in food benefits into $40 means we can eat plenty of vegetables every day. My boys love healthy food, and I’d rather cook a big pot of vegetables than put cheap, processed junk on the table!”

Since SFC’s formation, we’ve worked to grow a vibrant, healthy food system through support for community and school gardens, farmers’ markets, and cooking classes. Our DDIP program works hand-in-hand with our Grow Local, Farm Direct and The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre® programs to bring our neighbors greater access to healthy food. With your support, we are able to provide these programs to over 300,000 people here in Central Texas every year—but there is still much work to be done!

Marquel tells everyone she knows about the DDIP program: “This program has literally been a lifesaver for us. When we can come home with twice as much healthy food, and know we’ll be putting nutritious, home cooked meals on the table—that’s the best feeling in the world.”

This holiday season, please consider investing in the future of SFC. With your help, we can grow our community programs, like DDIP, food gardening and cooking education programs. Give now and support access to healthy food for everyone in our community.

Your gift will bring supplemental food benefits, gardening and cooking resources, and direct access to locally-grown food to the children and families in Austin who need it the most.

Thank you for your generosity. You are the key to a healthy local food system!