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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Starting November 15, 2025, Double Up Fresh Bucks / Double Up Dólares Frescos will be available at select farmers’ markets in Texas. Participating farmers’ markets (see full list below) can offer $10-$30 per customer per day in Double Up Fresh Bucks / Double Up Dólares Frescos. Each market will decide how much they are able to distribute per customer per day. 

Shoppers can use Double Up Fresh Bucks / Double Up Dólares Frescos for any food or drink items at the participating market. Double Up Fresh Bucks / Double Up Dólares Frescos are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All Double Up Fresh Bucks / Double Up Dólares Frescos expire on December 31, 2025. 

How to Participate

1. Find a participating farmers’ market (see list below)
2. Visit the market information booth
3. Ask to receive Double Up Fresh Bucks / Double Up Dólares Fresco
4. Shop the market

Participating Farmers’ Markets

Thank you to the farmers’ markets in the Double Up Food Bucks Texas network who have opted to participate in Double Up Fresh Bucks / Double Up Dólares Frescos to support families and farmers in their communities. This temporary program ends at participating markets on December 31, 2025.

North Texas

Coppell Farmers Market

Cowtown Farmers Market

Dallas Farmers Market

Denton Community Market

Lakewood Tower Farmers Market

Opal’s Farm Stand

Saginaw Farmers Market

White Rock Farmers Market

Central Texas

Chaparral Crossing Farmers Market
Fresh for Less Home Delivery
Fresh for Less Mobile Markets
Fresh for Less Mobile Market: CommUnity Care North Central
Fresh for Less Mobile Market: Del Valle Health and Wellness Center
Fresh for Less Mobile Market: East Communities YMCA
Fresh for Less Mobile Market: Hornsby Bend Health and Wellness Center
Fresh for Less Mobile Market: Lone Star Circle of Care at Collinfield
Fresh for Less Mobile Market: People’s Community Clinic
Fresh for Less Mobile Market: Sierra Vista Apartments
Fresh for Less Mobile Market: Southeast Health and Wellness Center
Mission Marquee Farmers and Artisans Market
SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown
SFC Farmers’ Market at Sunset Valley
Smithville Sunday Market
Texas Farmers Market at Bell
Texas Farmers Market at Mueller Waco Downtown Farmers Market

West Texas

Juicy Lucy’s and Idalou Harvest Farmers Market

South Texas

Victoria Farmers Market

McAllen Farmers Market

Brownsville Farmers Market

Fresco Mobile Market Galveston’s Own Farmers Market Grow Local South Texas Farmers Market H.O.P.E. Farmers Market #1 Harvest for the Hungry

East Texas

Whitehouse Farmers Market

Rose City Farmers Market

Questions? Call SFC’s bilingual Help Desk

SFC continues to work with our partners statewide to adapt our programs to support Texas communities as the government shutdown continues. Call the bilingual Help Desk at (512) 730-1807 for more information about Double Up Fresh Bucks / Double Up Dólares Frescos and other food access resources in Texas.

We are here to help you find the resources you need.

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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:

1. 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.

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$6 Million Investment from 89th Texas Legislature Supports Texas Families and Farmers

AUSTIN, TEXAS – A second landmark investment in nutrition incentives from the State of Texas paves the way for continued growth of nutrition programs like SFC’s Double Up Food Bucks Texas (Double Up Texas). Double Up Texas doubles SNAP benefits to spend on local fruit and vegetables at over 100 participating locations across Texas. 

We’re thrilled to share a major win for healthy food access in Texas: the state has made a second, historic investment in nutrition incentive programs like Double Up Texas. Thanks to support from state lawmakers during the 89th Legislative Session, the Texas Legislature approved $6 million in general revenue funding to expand nutrition incentive programs across the state in the 2026 – 2027 biennium. 

This victory, secured through the advocacy of Sustainable Food Center (SFC) and our partners, marks a powerful step forward in building a more resilient food system for all Texans.

Double Up Texas, the state’s flagship nutrition incentive program, matches Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets, farm stands, and mobile markets. This means that families shopping with SNAP can double their purchasing power when buying produce – putting more healthy food on the table while supporting local farmers and food businesses. SFC administers Double Up Texas with support from state, federal, and philanthropic funding.

Between October 2023 and September 2024 (federal fiscal year 2024), 3,193,000 people in Texas – 1 in 10 – Texans received SNAP.

Double Up Texas was launched in Austin at SFC Farmers’ Market in 2012. Through regional partnerships and expansion into grocery stores, the program now has 105 participating locations in every region of the state. Currently, 46 farmers markets and 59 grocery stores participate in Double Up Texas. These sites support over 220 Texas farmers and bring millions of dollars in economic activity back into our local communities.

Double Up Food Bucks Texas is projected to generate $2 million in economic activity through sales at farmers’ markets, farm stands, and grocery stores in 2025.

SFC Farmers’ Market vendor and co-owner of Animal Farm, Cas Vanwoerden, has participated in Double Up Texas since the program was launched. “[With Double Up Texas], we see both increased attendance and an increase in sales,” Van Worden said. And now, with renewed state investment, Double Up Texas is poised for meaningful growth in both urban and rural areas of the state.

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Introducing SFC’s First Cooking & Nutrition Class Celebrating Black Foodways

By Jacq Taylor, The Happy Kitchen / La Cocina Alegre® Education Specialist  and Anna-Kay Reeves, Multimedia Communications Specialist

A special thanks to the team who developed the “What’s the Soul in Our Food?” curriculum: Jacqueline Taylor, Vanessa Beltran, MPH, RDN, LD, and Joi Chevalier, BA, MA, CCA and Chair of the Austin Travis County Food Policy Board, as well as Catherine Capers, M.Ed. and Marilyn Yank

The Best Thing Since Sweet Cornbread

“What’s the Soul in Our Food?” is a fresh-out-of-the-oven community and nutrition cooking and nutrition education class designed by Black Texans for Black Texans. Like other courses from the The Happy Kitchen / La Cocina Alegre® (THK/LCA®) program, “What’s the Soul in Our Food?” is a free 6-week cooking and nutrition education course. Participants come together for a weekly nutrition lesson, a cooking demonstration featuring seasonal ingredients, and receive groceries to practice the skills they’ve learned at home. 

What makes this course unique is that Sustainable Food Center (SFC) developed “What’s the Soul in Our Food?” in partnership with 10 community organizations. Why so many cooks in the kitchen? These partnerships were important to ensure “What’s the Soul in Our Food?” is a community-based cooking and nutrition education course that reflects the history and priorities of Black Texans as defined by Black communities themselves. To that end, we plan to update this course based on participant feedback on an ongoing basis.

The rich and adaptable course curriculum is the result of the ongoing leadership, feedback, and support of Black Men’s Health Clinic, The Alliance for African American Health Central Texas (AAAHCT), Austin Public Health, Black Mamas ATX, Ufulu Child LLC, Foundation Communities, Saint John Faith Community Garden, Equidad ATX, and Black Trans Leadership Austin. We’re grateful for the dedication of these organizations to transforming health through culturally-relevant nutrition!

We believe everyone deserves access to fresh, local food and culturally-relevant nutrition.

THK / LCA® started over 25 years ago with a focus on offering bilingual (English and Spanish) cooking and nutrition education. Thanks to funding from supporters like Episcopal Health Foundation, we’re ready to expand THK / LCA® to reflect the many cultures of our state. With 14% of Texans identifying as Black, Texas is home to more Black people than any other US state. Black Texans are less likely to have insurance or have access to health care than white Texans. This inequality makes preventative care through nutrition a particularly important resource for Black communities.

“What’s the Soul in Our Food?”: Celebrating Black Culture Through Food and Nutrition

Soul food is a catch-all term for primarily Black and historically southern cooking. During “What’s the Soul in Our Food?”, facilitators invite participants to consider what makes a dish soul food. Unlike cuisine associated with a single country, like Thai food for example, soul food includes influences from across Africa and uniquely American flavors. To paraphrase culinary scholar Micheal W. Twitty, soul food is rooted in the creativity of Africans brought to the US who reimagined dishes from home with the ingredients available to them. Available ingredients were often meat scraps and whatever Black communities were able to grow in their garden. 

African Diaspora (n.): Black and Brown people with African ancestry distributed across the globe.

Considering soul food’s rich history, there are many right answers to the question “What’s the Soul in Our Food?”. Sharing family recipes and memories of elders cooking is one way each class will celebrate Black food and history. Facilitators will also offer food for thought from culinary scholars. One important resource to understand soul food for the “What’s the Soul in Our Food?” authors is High on the Hog by Jessica B. Harris. Harris offers the perspective that Black foodways in the US “came to be known as soul food because it fed the spirit as much as the body on our long march to institutionalized equality.

Can Soul Food Be Nutritious?

People think of soul food as unhealthy, but it doesn’t have to be. “What’s the Soul in Our Food?” participants will learn about The Happy Plate, a THK / LCA® cooking nutrition education model for eating balanced meals. The Happy Plate is half fruits and vegetables, one quarter protein, and one quarter grains. A Happy Plate of soul food might include cooked leafy greens, catfish or other seafood that is baked or grilled rather than fried, and a side of grains like rice or millet or a starchy vegetable like roasted sweet potatoes. The Happy Plate isn’t always a plate; a bowl of stew served alongside rice or fufu (pounded yam) checks all the boxes, too!

To enjoy healthy soul food, we bring awareness to three key aspects of meal preparation:

• Seasoning dishes with herbs and dried spices instead of salt 
• Using minimal fats and oils 
• Including fresh and cooked fruits and vegetables as the star of the show with meat for flavor

Let’s Embody a Better World

Health and wellness goes beyond nutrition – how safe and relaxed we feel also impacts our health. Black communities face higher levels of stress and diet-related illnesses due to structural racism in the past and present. Historic and modern racism limits Black folks’ equal access to social determinants of health like nutritious food, earning opportunities, health insurance, secure housing, and transportation. Despite these injustices, Black food, culture, and community are life-giving.

Embodiment (n.) A mindfulness practice that promotes awareness of and connection to your body by focusing on the senses

Class participants will learn about mindfulness practices like embodiment to promote feelings of safety and relaxation. By bringing awareness to our five senses while cooking, we can relax our body and mind while preparing a nourishing meal. Being in tune with the senses is also a reminder of the space we take up and deserve to take up. Our senses say: “You’re here!”

Wisdom from the Past: Honoring Black History

Working toward healing the impacts of racism isn’t about ignoring painful parts of history. “What’s the Soul in Our Food?” curriculum notes, “our West African ancestors were prolific producers of food. They were not only enslaved for their labor; they were enslaved for their expertise in agriculture (namely corn, yams, and rice) and raising animals.” 

Of course, that expertise didn’t stop at production. We see African food preparation traditions in soul food’s use of ingredients like rice, okra, and sweet potatoes. (Sweet potatoes are an American substitute for African yams.) We can also see traces of Africa in beloved dishes throughout the Americas (North, Central, and South). This influence reminds us that the culinary impact of the African diaspora is often hidden in plain sight.” “What’s the Soul in Our Food?”’s focus on stories and recipes passed through generations celebrates the expertise of Black people as cultivators and cooks long before they were forced into those roles in the Americas.

What’s Cooking for THK / LCA®

Every THK / LCA® facilitator shares themselves with their community. Each class series has three passionate facilitators that rotate between the cook, educator, and assistant role during the six weeks. All THK/LCA® community cooking and nutrition education class facilitators are peer-facilitators because they

1. Have attended a THK / LCA® class series
2. Are impacted by the class and inspired to become a facilitator
3. Are trained on our program and curriculum with adult education principles 

Photo by H. Franks

These three pieces are essential to hosting community-based cooking and nutrition education classes where participants feel seen and safe enough to bring what they care about to the table.

As THK / LCA® programming expands, it’s our goal to make classes accessible to the folks who need them most. In the case of “What’s the Soul in Our Food?”, this class is exclusively open to Black folks. THK / LCA® offers a variety of classes designed to support specific communities. Whether it’s “Cooking After Cancer, “Eating Well With Diabetes”, or “La Cocina Alegre”, our original Spanish-language adaptation, THK / LCA® has a class to equip you with the knowledge and skills best-suited to your health and community needs.

Want to see more kitchens full of local produce? You can support THK/LCA® by donating to SFC or partnering with us to host a class. Email education@sustainablefoodcenter.org to connect with our team. You can also call the bilingual (English/Spanish) SFC Help Desk at (512) 730-1807 to ask about upcoming classes near you

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How is SFC Transforming the Food System?

At Sustainable Food Center (SFC), our mission is simple yet powerful: we transform the food system, improving access to fresh, nutritious food. To make a lasting impact, we engage across the food system from growing food to enjoying it. Let’s dive into how SFC works every day to support an equitable and inclusive Texas food system where people and the environment thrive.

How Do Healthy Food Systems Support Thriving People?

In our modern food system, the people behind food production often remain unseen. From farmers to grocery store employees to consumers, people are involved and affected at every step of the food system.

Farmers & Consumers Are Part of Thriving Land and Food Systems 

Small-scale farmers and ranchers are crucial to a just and resilient food system because they supply food close to where it’s grown. It’s important to have thriving local agriculture because during times of supply disruption, like the pandemic, extreme weather events, or even high transportation costs, small farms are able to continue supplying food locally. 

To support small-scale farmers and ranchers selling their products directly to consumers, SFC supports a large network of farmers’ markets across Texas, including our own markets in Austin, SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown and SFC Farmers’ Market at Sunset Valley, every Saturday, rain or shine. These markets are a key part of how SFC is transforming the food system by providing a space for small-scale producers to increase their income and connect with their community. 

As an alternative to selling directly to consumers, we connect producers to wholesale markets like schools and grocery stores through the Market Matchmaking program. Producers taking part in our Market Matching program saw a nearly 37% average increase in farm revenue as documented in our 2023 annual report. If farmers aren’t quite ready to scale up their business through wholesale, we offer a Wholesale Readiness course to give producers a head start on success in wholesale markets.

We see HUGE potential for schools and grocery stores to buy fresh produce and protein from local producers. Serving and stocking local food increases farm revenue and strengthens regional food security. The SFC Farm to School Learning Collaborative is one way we create knowledge-sharing spaces to connect schools to local food. An example comes from our latest SFC Farm to School Learning Collaborative session. In the video you’ll see our partners at Texas Tribal Buffalo Project answer questions about opportunities like the Florence ISD pilot program which is making bison meat available through school lunches.

Food Access Program Participants Support the Economy

Farmers rely on consumers to buy their products, but too often only high-income groups can afford and access fresh-farm food. SFC is the statewide leader of Double Up Food Bucks Texas (Double Up Texas), our signature food access program. Double Up Texas increases fair access to local produce by doubling SNAP participants’ benefits to spend on more fruits and vegetables. 

From its start at a single farmers’ market in Austin ten years ago, Double Up Texas has grown to nearly 60 sites statewide. In 2023, the program served more than 34,000 families, circulating $788,744 in local economies. 

We also offer seasonal food access programs like the WIC Voucher Program, which gives WIC recipients $30 for summer and fall produce.

Cooks & Family Nutritionists

Access to fresh produce is just the start of how SFC is transforming the food system. The Happy Kitchen / La Cocina Alegre® (THK / LCA) teaches families and communities how to cook and enjoy nutritious meals, using the Happy Plate — half fruits and vegetables, one quarter grains, and one quarter protein, and THK / LCA®’s cookbook Fresh & Seasonal Recipes. This free, bilingual class series helps families cook affordable, nutritious meals with confidence and provides free groceries after each class to practice at home.

Informed Communities

It’s important for families and communities to know accessible food options exist. SFC raises awareness about market options, Double Up Texas, and THK / LCA® through in-person events and virtual promotions in both English and Spanish. Our bilingual SFC Help Desk, run by our expert team of promotoras (community advocates), answers questions and provides resources about nutrition incentive programs. 

THRIVING ENVIRONMENT

How is SFC Transforming the Food System for a Thriving Environment?

Regenerative Farming & Environmental Sustainability

We support small-scale farms that use sustainable farming practices. Unlike industrial farms that grow one type of crop and exhaust soil nutrients, regenerative farms improve soil health and reduce chemical use. Regenerative agriculture leads to a more sustainable and resilient food system with: 

• Less fertilizer runoff polluting waterways  
• Less chemical pesticides
• Fewer disruptions in the supply chain
• More food and food dollars stay local, cutting transportation emissions

Each farm and ranch vendor at SFC Farmers’ Markets is visited by SFC staff to ensure products sold are produced ethically and sustainably. By giving farmers a platform to sell, we support their success and help build a more sustainable food system and healthier planet.

Our work also promotes environmental sustainability. By encouraging local food sales through Double Up Texas and farmers’ markets, there is a reduced need for long-distance transportation and refrigeration, cutting down emissions and energy usage.   By helping more people access locally produced food, small-scale farmers can earn a better income that allows them to stay in farming, while the community enjoys fresh, nutritious food. 

That’s how SFC is transforming the food system, but you may be wondering: why does the food system need to be transformed? 

Why Is SFC Transforming The Food System?

Expanding Food Access and Supporting Small-Farm Viability

Sustainable Food Center (SFC) is dedicated to creating a just and inclusive food system because the industrial food system limits access to fresh, local food, carries unfair risks for underserved producers, and harms our environment.

Fair Food Access Supports Thriving People

Why Is SFC Transforming the Food System for Consumers?

Texans face the second-highest level of food insecurity in the US, with 1 in 8 Texans experiencing food insecurity according to Feeding Texas. Even more Texas children – 1 in 5 – experience food insecurity, even though Texas is one of the top four food producing states in the nation. With 20% of Texas children experiencing food insecurity, schools play an important role in improving food access and supporting Texas farmers through local food purchasing. That’s why our Farm to School initiative connects local farmers to Texas school districts looking to make wholesale purchases for school meals.

Economic inequality is the largest driver of food insecurity in the current food system. Poverty and food insecurity are worse for groups who have been discriminated against historically. According to Feeding Texas, Black Texans are more than twice as likely to experience food insecurity as white Texans, and 18% of Hispanic children in Texas experience food insecurity, compared to 12% of white children. That’s why SFC is transforming the food system to make local food accessible to a wider range of income levels by accepting and doubling SNAP and WIC benefits at SFC Farmers’ Markets. We also advocate for and support other markets and grocery stores across the state in accepting and doubling benefits, resulting in more equitable access to nutritious food. Increasing food access for consumers at multiple income levels also means increased sales opportunities for local food producers and local economic activity. In 2023 alone, Double Up Food Bucks Texas sales circulated $788,744 in local economies, as documented in SFC’s 2023 Impact Report.

Why Is SFC Transforming the Food System for Producers?

On the producer side of the equation, underserved producers like BIPOC and beginning farmers lack the safety nets that industrial agriculture receives through government subsidies and crop insurance options. That’s why SFC is transforming the food system to address these barriers and promote equitable risk sharing through policy and advocacy, and by supporting farmer livelihood.

Small-scale farmers are critical players in regional food security and local economic activity, but policy doesn’t always reflect their perspectives or best interests. That’s why a throughline of our policy advocacy work is gathering farmer feedback. We host regular farmer listening sessions to better understand small-scale producers’ perspectives on issues like land access, water resources, and crop insurance. We use what we learn at these sessions to inform our policy and advocacy priorities and the direction of our farmer support work.

Reliable and diversified income streams are critical for farm viability. We support small-scale farmers’ livelihoods through two revenue-generating platforms: direct sales at SFC Farmers’ Market Downtown and SFC Farmers’ Market at Sunset Valley and wholesale in commercial markets. We value our weekly community markets because they allow farmers to build face-to-face relationships with customers and educate them about how their products and practices support local, sustainable food production. On the other hand, wholesale opportunities allow farmers to sell food in bulk to grocery stores, restaurants, and schools, providing predictable product demand and income. Farmers who participated in SFC Market Matchmaking program, which connects farmers to wholesale buyers, saw revenue increase by more than 30% in 2023!

Thriving Environment

Why is SFC Transforming the Food System for the Environment?

Policy

Government support for industrial agriculture unfairly advantages large-scale, unsustainable producers over small-scale, regenerative producers. That means when crop loss or unexpected expenses arise, small-scale farmers are more likely to struggle to recover financially.

For example, $38 million is allocated annually for agricultural subsidies, but only about .4% of these subsidies go to fruit, vegetable, and nut production. That’s why SFC is transforming the food system by advocating for policies that level the playing field for small-scale producers who are more likely to grow a diversified range of crops. The lack of policy safety nets in the form of government subsidies and affordable, comprehensive crop insurance makes small farms unfairly vulnerable to extreme weather events, which are increasing because of climate change. Without policy safety nets, natural disasters like drought, flooding, hard freezes, or wildfires that damage and destroy crops hit small-scale farms harder.

SFC is creating an agricultural landscape that promotes equity for small-scale, regenerative farms to thrive. We know that policy and advocacy is a long game, so while we work toward systemic transformation, we also provide more immediate support for small-scale producers to transition to sustainable practices. This includes advocating for access to land and capital to enhance farm sustainability and profitability, especially for those with limited resources and from underrepresented communities.

Local Economy & Land Stewardship

We support small-scale, regenerative farmers because a hyper-local, regenerative food economy conserves natural resources and builds more resilient supply chains for the next generation.

Over time, farmland that is managed regeneratively not only enhances soil health – holding more water, carbon, and nutrients – but also requires fewer costly chemical inputs to produce more sustainable local food. That’s good for the environment and for farmers’ bottom line. According to the Texas Environmental Almanac, Texas is one of the 8 states with the highest soil erosion, with 40% of Texas soil classified as highly erodible. Regenerative practices like cover cropping slow and reverse soil erosion by holding soil in place and inputting organic material, protecting soil resources for the next generation. SFC advocates for transforming the food system so that small-scale, regenerative farmers receive support to stay competitive against industrial producers prioritizing short-term, high-yield practices that degrade the environment.

When the food supply chain receives a shock, whether from unexpected shutdowns like the Covid-19 pandemic, conflicts around the world, or extreme weather, the flow of food products can slow down or even stop. This puts pressure on food trade, increasing food prices and limiting food access. By supporting the livelihoods of local, small-scale producers, we are ensuring that Texas communities continue to have affordable and consistent food access. That’s why  SFC Farmers’ Markets Downtown and at Sunset Valley are local food access points that are both deeply connected to the community and independent from industrial food systems. Local food also stays closer to the place it was produced, reducing energy costs and greenhouse emissions to refrigerate and transport goods.

Why SFC Transforms the Food System: Stronger Together

So, now you know why SFC is transforming the food system and how we are making a lasting impact. Sustainable Food Center is leading the charge in Texas to create a food system that’s just, equitable, and sustainable. We’re pushing for policies that support local farmers, increase food access, and build resilient food systems. Our mission is powered by community support and collaboration. Together, we can build a future where everyone has access to healthy food and thriving people flourish in a thriving environment. Join us on their journey toward a more sustainable food future. Join us on our journey toward a more sustainable food future.

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