At Sustainable Food Center (SFC), we’ve always believed that everyone deserves access to nutritious, affordable food. This belief has guided us for five decades, shaping our efforts to build an equitable food system that supports small-scale farmers and strengthens our communities. As CEO, I’m excited to share that SFC is entering a new chapter. This chapter of expanded service includes a fresh look and an even deeper commitment to serving communities facing food insecurity and small-scale farmers across Texas. Our updated brand and website reflect this expansion, making it easier than ever for Texans to connect with us and support a food-secure future.

Cultivating a Better Food Future

Our recent rebrand is more than a fresh new look – it’s an expression of the strides we’re making to serve Texas in innovative ways. At SFC, we serve two distinct yet interconnected groups: individuals and families facing food insecurity and small-scale Texas producers who are vital to a robust, sustainable food system.  A prime example of how we serve both groups is our Double Up Food Bucks Texas (Double Up Texas) program. Double Up Texas increases the purchasing power of SNAP and WIC shoppers by matching benefits to buy more fruits and vegetables. This in turn supports the livelihood of Texas farmers by increasing the demand for local food.

Leading texas food systems

Since its launch at one farmers’ market in 2012, Double Up Texas has expanded to more than 60 locations statewide, reaching grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and farm stands. Recently, we were thrilled to secure $8.7 million from USDA NIFA’s Gus Shumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which will fuel Double Up Texas’ expansion. Over the next four years, we’ll work with Double Up Texas regional leads to triple the number of participating locations, significantly expanding fresh, nutritious food access for families in rural and urban areas across all 11 regions of Texas. 

To make this possible, we need strong community support to meet the required $8.7 million match.  This would allow a total of $17.4 million to be invested in local food production and accessibility. We believe wholeheartedly in the future of Double Up Texas as a powerful, market-based solution that nourishes Texan health while supporting the livelihood of small-scale Texas farmers who steward the land. With Double Up Texas’s continued growth, our rebrand and new website   bring clarity to our public image, making it easier for more Texans to access resources and engage with us as we advance as a Texas food systems leader.

Reflecting Vibrant and Diverse Texas Communities

As SFC expands across Texas, we’re reaching communities from the Texas Panhandle and to the Rio Grande Valley. To represent this diversity authentically, we collaborated with nonprofit marketing experts at Causality to create a brand that captures the spirit of Texas and the vibrancy of SFC. Our new look draws inspiration from our 2022 farmers’ market box truck, which was a truly community-designed project. With vibrant colors and imagery that we hope reflects the uniqueness of our communities, our rebrand symbolizes SFC’s commitment to meeting Texans where they are and tailoring our support to fit local needs. The new logo, color palette, and website represent who we are today—a Texas food systems leader reaching new communities. Through this rebrand, we aim to inspire connection, trust, and a shared mission for a healthier food system across Texas.

Join Us in Transforming the Food System

As we build a more equitable and resilient food system, we invite you to be a part of our journey. There are many ways to get involved: consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us reach our $8.7 million match for Double Up Texas, sign up as a facilitator for The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre®, or shop at one of our SFC Farmers’ Markets Downtown or at Sunset Valley. For a full look at our programs and the impact we’re making, visit our newly refreshed website and learn more about what we do at SFC. If you’re in Austin, we’d also love to see you at Farm to Plate, our annual fundraiser, happening May 8, 2025, at LZR (La Zona Rosa). Together, we’re transforming Texas food —one meal, one family, and one farm at a time.

This funding will allow SFC to triple the number of grocery stores and farmers’ markets participating in its Double Up Food Bucks Texas (Double Up Texas) program, significantly expanding access to fresh, nutritious food for families in rural and urban communities across all 11 regions of Texas. The program, which matches the purchasing power of families using SNAP benefits, will boost sales for local farmers while helping Texans make nutritious choices.

“These investments answer the call to the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities, which is an extension of the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health that aims to end hunger and increase healthy eating,” the USDA NIFA announced on Friday.

“This is a transformative opportunity for Texas,” said Mark Bethell, CEO of SFC. “With this funding, not only will more families have access to fresh, affordable food, but Texas farmers will benefit from stronger local demand for their produce, building a more resilient food system.”

Expanding Reach and Impact Across Texas​

This $17.4 million investment in Double Up Texas will enable SFC to partner with over 150 retailers, expanding the program’s reach into rural and urban communities where nutritious food access is often limited. The program will also directly support farmers and food producers by increasing sales, contributing to a more robust Texas agricultural sector. SFC aims to establish and build upon lasting partnerships to ensure the sustainability of the program beyond the four-year funding period.

“With USDA NIFA’s support, SFC will work closely with regional leads to tailor Double Up Texas to meet the needs of each community,” said Hannah Thornton, SFC’s Senior Director of Food Access and Education. “This localized approach allows us to leverage the expertise of regional partners, like Texas Health Resources, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, Brownsville Wellness Coalition, and Desert Spoon Food Hub. By tailoring Double Up Texas to meet the specific needs of different regions, we’re ensuring local farmers and businesses thrive, while making fresh food more accessible to families across the state.”

Proven Impact of Double Up Food Bucks Texas​

Since launching Texas’ first SNAP incentive program in 2012, SFC has been a leader in promoting local food and supporting Texas farmers. Double Up Texas is integral to SFC’s mission of transforming Texas’ food system to nourish health, land, and livelihood.

In 2023 alone, Double Up Texas served over 34,000 SNAP households, increasing local food sales by $788,744 for Texas farmers and retailers. Additionally, in the past year, 194 Texas farmers saw increased sales due to Double Up Texas, with 278 farmers benefiting from 2022. Currently operating at 61 locations across the state, this new GusNIP funding will allow the program to expand to 150 locations, reaching even more communities and continuing to drive local economic growth.

Building a Healthier Future for Texas​

The GusNIP grant will fund various initiatives, including the expansion of Double Up Texas at grocery stores and farmers’ markets, as well as enhancing culturally relevant nutrition education through SFC’s The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre® program, ensuring families have the skills to prepare nutritious meals using local produce.

By increasing access to these services, SFC aims to provide lasting support to communities facing high rates of diet-related diseases and limited access to nutritious food. This investment will help address food insecurity, improve the health of Texas families, and create a more sustainable food system for future generations.

“Double Up Texas has grown because of dedicated partnerships, community input, and sustained advocacy,” said Simone Benz, Director of Policy and Advocacy at SFC. “The GusNIP grant allows us to continue working at the intersection of food access and local food economies, improving food security while creating greater opportunities for Texas farmers. It’s a win-win-win that proves we can create a more sustainable and thriving food system through targeted collaboration.”

SFC is committed to ensuring food access, supporting local economies, and building a healthier future for all Texans.

During the 2023 Texas Legislative Session, Sustainable Food Center (SFC) led a community-driven campaign to advocate for funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) incentives, like Double Up Food Bucks Texas.

On June 19, 2023, the State of Texas approved the appropriation of $6 million in grant funding to SNAP incentive programs that provide recipients a dollar-for-dollar match to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. With the increased state funding, SNAP incentive programs can expand to more locations across Texas, with a particular focus on historically marginalized rural communities.

SNAP strengthens Texas food security

With four million Texas households experiencing food insecurity and the end of SNAP emergency allotments in February 2023, access to fresh food moves increasingly out of reach. Fortunately, programs like Double Up Food Bucks Texas utilize the power of SNAP to bring families more nutritious food, while supporting local farm businesses throughout our state.

For over a decade, SFC has built and expanded the Double Up Food Bucks Texas coalition through deep partnerships, community engagement, and outreach. Since 2019, they have received three rounds of funding from the USDA Gus Schumer Nutrition Incentive Program (USDA GusNIP) grant. Thanks to the USDA GusNIP grant, the support of multiple funding partners, and the deep trust and collaboration with regional partners, Double Up Food Bucks Texas has over 50 active sites across the state including El Paso, Dallas – Fort Worth, Brownsville, Lubbock, and beyond.

transformative connections

With this victory, SFC remains committed to being guided and informed by the communities we serve and our growing network of partners. We are thrilled and honored to work in partnership with organizations across the state to ensure the success of Double Up Food Bucks Texas for families, farmers, and local communities. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our partners, especially the Center for Science in the Public Interest; American Heart Association, Texas; Partnership for Healthy Texas; Colyandro Public Affairs; Brownsville Wellness Coalition; Desert Spoon Food Hub; Texas Food Policy Roundtable Partners; and farmers and farmers markets across Texas, for their instrumental support throughout the campaign. We look forward to collaborating with our partners in the Double Up Texas coalition and with Texas Health and Human Services to ensure that these funds have a maximum impact on Texas families and farmers.