News Archives - Sustainable Food Center https://sustainablefoodcenter.org/category/sfc-news/ Transforming the food system to nourish Texas health, land, and livelihood. Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:20:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://sustainablefoodcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cropped-favicon-2-32x32.png News Archives - Sustainable Food Center https://sustainablefoodcenter.org/category/sfc-news/ 32 32 The Happy Kitchen Launches in Houston https://sustainablefoodcenter.org/the-happy-kitchen-launches-in-houston/ Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:53:32 +0000 https://sustainablefoodcenter.org/?p=18751 Sustainable Food Center Expands Free Cooking Classes from The Happy Kitchen / La Cocina Alegre® to Houston The free, 6-week cooking and nutrition course (offered in Spanish and English) provides […]

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Sustainable Food Center Expands Free Cooking Classes from The Happy Kitchen / La Cocina Alegre® to Houston

The free, 6-week cooking and nutrition course (offered in Spanish and English) provides groceries at each class.

HOUSTON, Texas — Sustainable Food Center’s free nutrition education program The Happy Kitchen / La Cocina Alegre® (THK/LCA) is launching its first class series in the Houston market. The free, 6-week class teaches participants how to enjoy local produce in simple, affordable, and culturally relevant dishes. 

Participants receive a bag of fresh ingredients at each class to practice recipes from the THK / LCA cookbook, Fresh & Seasonal Recipes, at home. Participants are encouraged to adapt THK/LCA recipes in order to manage their unique health needs and use ingredients that are seasonally and locally available.

THK / LCA’s expansion into Houston is part of SFC’s statewide expansion of its programs supporting affordable access to local food for every Texan.

“As one of the most diverse cities in the country, with over 145 languages spoken and a food scene that reflects authentic cuisines from around the world, Houston is a meaningful expansion for us,” said Vanessa Beltran, SFC Education Director. By establishing a presence [in Houston], we’re creating a training hub that will help us support new replication partners throughout the region.”

THK/LCA courses emphasize peer-to-peer learning through hiring class facilitators who previously took the course as participants and who have ties to the community where the class is offered. Peer learning is one way THK/LCA creates community networks that last long past the 6-week course

“I have a 26-year journey with SFC’s THK/LCA program,” said THK/LCA facilitator Claudia Pena. “In the very first class I realized that this was exactly what I needed… because I had a baby I wanted to feed in a healthy way. Then my second child was born and he immediately became part of the group, since the program provides space to attend with children.”

How to Participate

Classes are available with instruction in English or Spanish, and walk-in participants are welcome to join the course during the first three classes. It’s free to register for the Spanish or English class options.

About Sustainable Food Center

Sustainable Food Center (SFC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Austin, Texas, advancing food access across Texas through local, community-driven solutions. Since 1975, SFC has strengthened local food systems, increased access to fresh and affordable food, and supported small-scale farmers through education, farmers’ markets, and public policy. SFC is the statewide lead and implementor of Double Up Food Bucks Texas. 

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