Current Campaigns Archives - Sustainable Food Center

Your Voice Matters: Tell Congress to Protect SNAP

SFC Staff — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 21:46:07 +0000

As the federal government shutdown continues, millions of Texans are at risk of losing access to food. Right now, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be distributed for November.

Last updated: October 31, 12:00 Pm

When SNAP stops, families go hungry and farmers lose income.

More than 3.5 million Texans, including 1.7 million children, rely on SNAP to put food on the table. Behind the numbers are real people: parents, children, older adults, and essential workers who deserve the dignity of reliable access to nutritious food.

Your voice can help protect this vital program. Tell Congress to protect SNAP today!

Your voice matters – share how SNAP impacts you personally to tell Congress that protecting SNAP should be a top priority.

Whether you’re a SNAP recipient, a farmer, employee of a SNAP-authorized grocery store or farmers’ market, or a community member who believes everyone deserves access to healthy food, your voice matters.

Follow these steps to contact your Congress members and share information about the importance of SNAP with your network:

Find Your Congress members.

Visit house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative and enter your zipcode to find your Texas Representative. Texas Senators are Ted Cruz and John Cornyn.

2. Tell Congress Why Protecting SNAP Matters to You.

Once you’ve identified your members, click “Contact” beneath their profile to call or write your message. Every message, email, and call is counted and recorded.

Your voice and who you are matter. Consider how your personal experiences with SNAP show the importance of the program.

Not sure what to say? Find the category you identify with below and use the bullet points to start telling your story.

Once you’ve sent your message, log your advocacy to help us track engagement.

3. Share Social Media Resources to Raise Awareness in Your Network.

Spread the word by sharing SFC’s posts on social media. SFC is consistently engaging with advocacy and relief resources on social media. Follow and repost from:

Instagram: @sfclocal
Facebook and LinkedIn: @Sustainable Food Center

When you share our posts, it raises awareness about food access resources, the importance of protecting SNAP, and helps SFC connect with more Texans directly.

Messaging Resources: SNAP Recipients and Community Members

Tell Congress Why SNAP Matters

Tell your Congressional representatives why SNAP matters — whether you use it yourself or simply believe everyone deserves access to healthy food. Personal stories make a difference.

First, introduce yourself and say that you are a constituent. Then, tell them that you are calling to urge immediate action to fund the SNAP program. Share a story about why SNAP matters to you.

Here are some examples of what you can share:

If you use SNAP or Double Up Food Bucks

“SNAP helps me afford fresh fruits and vegetables for my family.”

“Double Up Food Bucks lets me buy more healthy food and support local farmers.”

“Losing SNAP benefits would mean skipping meals to make ends meet.”

If you don’t use SNAP but care about food access:

“Everyone deserves to eat healthy food, and SNAP helps make that possible.”

“As a [farmer/vendor/neighbor/community member], I see how important SNAP is for our local economy.”

“SNAP supports families, farmers, and small businesses in my community. We can’t afford to lose it.”
“I am calling for immediate action to protect SNAP funding and ensure uninterrupted access for the Texans who need it most. Every day without SNAP benefits means:
- Families are forced to skip meals or go without fresh food.
- Farmers and local food businesses are losing vital income.
- Communities are losing access to affordable, healthy options.”

Messaging Resources: Farmers

Tell Congress Why SNAP Matters

SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks are lifeline for farmers and local food businesses across Texas. Every SNAP dollar spent at farmers markets or farm stands helps farmers earn vital income while families get the fresh, healthy food they need.

The federal shutdown threatens SNAP funding — and with it, the livelihoods of farmers and producers who rely on these sales.

Here’s what you can say when contacting your members::

“My farm depends on SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks to sell fresh produce to local families.”
“Losing SNAP benefits means fewer customers at farmers markets and less income for my farm.”
“SNAP helps me keep my farm sustainable while supporting my community’s access to healthy food.”
“Double Up Food Bucks stretches SNAP dollars so families can afford more fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s essential for my farm business.”

Messaging Resources: Double Up Texas Markets & Grocery Stores

Tell Congress Why SNAP Matters

Food programs like SNAP and nutrition incentive programs like Double Up Food Bucks Texas (Double Up Texas) not only support families bringing home more nutritious food but strengthen local food economies. Since January 2025, sales at participating Double Up Texas farmers’ markets and grocery stores alone have generated over $200,000 worth of economic activity through SNAP and Double Up Texas sales.

This means more money for Texas farmers and food businesses, and more healthy food for families.

Here’s what markets and retailers can share with their representatives:

“At [location or organization name] we serve customers who rely on SNAP benefits to meet their families’ food needs. At [name of location], we double the value of SNAP benefits so that every SNAP dollar goes further for fresh, healthy food.”
“Our [farmers/vendors/local food producers] depend on SNAP purchases as a key part of their income. Customers depend on these benefits to put food on the table.”
“The federal shutdown threatens the timely distribution of SNAP benefits, which would directly impact [our farmers’ market; our programming; families, farmers, and retailers across Texas].”
“We are calling for immediate action to protect SNAP funding and ensure uninterrupted access for the Texans who need it most. Every day without SNAP benefits means:
- Families are forced to skip meals or go without fresh food.
- Farmers and local food businesses are losing vital income.
- Communities are losing access to affordable, healthy options.”

Your Voice Can Protect SNAP

Together, we can make sure every Texan has access to healthy, local food.

Tell Congress to protect SNAP today.

Your voice matters, your story matters, and your action makes a difference. Let’s keep food on tables and dollars in our communities.

SFC is actively adapting our programs to support families facing food insecurity and Texas farmers during this uncertain time — more updates to come soon.

The post Your Voice Matters: Tell Congress to Protect SNAP appeared first on Sustainable Food Center.

Texas Food Access Resource List: Support During the Federal Government Shutdown

SFC Staff — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:31:13 +0000

Following the federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, many Texans are facing uncertainty about access to essential food resources. At Sustainable Food Center (SFC), our priority continues to be supporting Texas families and farmers with fair and affordable access to local food.

SFC Farmers’ Markets and Programs Remain Open

SFC Farmers’ Markets remain open every Saturday from 9 AM – 1 PM and continue to offer:

Triple WIC – three times monthly WIC benefits for fresh fruits and vegetables. WIC yellow market dollars do not expire.
Double Up Food Bucks Texas – double the value of SNAP benefits for fresh fruits and vegetables. Yellow Double Up Food Bucks and SNAP red market dollars do not expire.

Our Commitment to Families and Farmers

SFC’s focus remains supporting Texas families and farmers who depend on federally funded programs including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Double Up Food Bucks Texas (Double Up Texas) to put food on the table.

Food programs like SNAP and WIC and nutrition incentive programs like Double Up Texas not only support families bringing home more nutritious food but also support small-scale farmers by directing federal dollars into local food economies. Since January 2025, sales at Double Up Texas sites alone have generated over $200,000 worth of economic activity for Texas farmers’ markets through SNAP and Double Up Texas sales.

Food Access Resources Across Texas

Find below a regularly updated list of food access resources across Texas, including regional food banks and community organizations providing immediate food relief. This is not a complete list, and more help may be available in your area.

Statewide Tools

FindHelp.Org

Enter your zip code and browse the “Food” category to find resources near you.

211

211 is a non-emergency hotline that connects callers to social services in your area including food and childcare. Call 211 or visit 211texas.org. After choosing a language, select Option 1 to find resources and help in your community.

Texas Health and Human Services FAQ

Find answers to questions regarding how the federal government shutdown affects SNAP and other benefits in Texas.

Texas Health and Human Services Website & Your Texas Benefits Website

Updates about available SNAP benefits will be posted on the Your Texas Benefits website, Your Texas Benefits mobile app, and on the Texas Health and Human Services website. You can also call 2-1-1 to get the latest information.

Regional Food Access Resources

WEST Texas

High Plains Food Bank (Amarillo)

Lubbock Dream Center Resource Pocket Pal

United Way El Paso Resource List

Central Texas

Austin Public Library City Resource Hub

Central Texas Food Bank (Austin)

San Antonio Resource Directory

North Texas

North Texas Food Bank (Plano)

Tarrant Area Food Bank (Weatherford)

East Texas

East Texas Food Bank (Tyler)

Southeast Texas Food Bank (Beaumont)

South Texas

Coastal Bend Food Bank (Corpus Christi)

Food Bank of Rio Grande Valley (Pharr)

South Texas Food Bank (Laredo)

We’re Here for Texas Communities

SFC will continue to share updates as they become available. Together, we’ll keep nourishing our Texas communities with fresh, healthy, local food.

The post Texas Food Access Resource List: Support During the Federal Government Shutdown appeared first on Sustainable Food Center.

Resource Hub: Central Texas Flood Relief

Anna-Kay Reeves — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 20:16:43 +0000

Kerrville, Austin, and Central Texas: you are not alone. Deeply connected local systems exchange more than just food – we can also come together to share information and recovery resources. Check this page for a regularly updated list and links of Central Texas flood relief efforts.

Non-Profit relief funds

Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country: Kerr County Flood Relief Fund

The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund supports relief and rebuilding efforts after the flood of July 4, 2025. Your generosity helps our neighbors recover.

The Community Foundation – a 501(c)(3) public charity serving the Texas Hill Country – will direct funds to vetted organizations providing rescue, relief, and recovery efforts as well as flood assistance. The Fund will support the communities of Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, Center Point, and Comfort. All donations are tax-deductible, and you will receive a receipt for your gift.

Austin Pets Alive: Volunteer or donate

Volunteer to drive to the hill country to pick up animals and/or bring supplies, support the intake, care and placement of onsite animals, and/or help accept and sort supplies onsite at APA! Sign up to emergency foster a dog or cat to make space for incoming animals. Make a monetary donation now to support displaced pets.

Central Texas Food Bank: Flood Relief response

Donate to support Central Texas Food Bank’s food and water distribution to affected communities.

Farmers supporting farmers

Texas Farmers’ Market: Ag Producer Support Fund

Texas Farmers’ Market Ag Producer Support Fund is a emergency grant to support food producers in times of crisis. Donate to the fund at the link above and apply for funds at Texas Farmers’ Market’s website.

Local Businesses

Radio Coffee & Beer: Matching in-store donations Up to $10,000

All Radio Coffee & Beer locations in Austin will match flood relief donations up to $10,000. All donations will go to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.

Bufalina: $1 / glass of house wine (happy hour) all July

Both Bufalina locations will donate $1 to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country’s Kerr County Flood Relief Fund for each glass of house wine sold during happy hour. Bufalina’s happy hour is 4-5:30 PM.

Good Juju Austin Flower Farm: 100% of Flower Sales all july

Available at Barton Creek Farmers’ Market.

Events Benefitting Flood Relief

Something In the Water Presents: David Ramirez and Greyhounds

July 25th at 7A Ranch in Wimberly, Texas. All proceeds to benefit flood relief. Tickets.

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