Sustainable Food Center

05/23/2026

It’s officially 🍑 season! Texas peaches are known for being delicious, but especially peaches from Fredericksburg, Texas. So how did Fredericksburg become the Peach Capitol of Texas?

1850-1920: German and Polish immigration to the Texas Hill Country created a distinct culture in the region. Many immigrants were farmers in Europe and brought agricultural skills with them.

1920-1950: In 1921, boll weevils destroyed many Texas cotton crops, prompting farmers to BRANCH OUT into fruit production!

Farmers in the Fredericksburg and wider Gillespie County areas found that regional weather and soil conditions produced large, sweet peaches.

1950-1980: The Texas peach industry peaks, enjoying booming sales both directly from farmers via farm stands and markets and in wholesale markets.

1980-2026: Gillespie County still produces about ⅓ of Texas peaches, but small farmers across the state are under pressure from farmland development and industrial scale competition. The best way to connect with Texas peach history this summer is by enjoying a locally grown Texas peach! Find a farmers’ market near you at DoubleUpTexas.org

05/20/2026

What a night! 🤩 Farm to Plate 2026 was a moment to share SFC’s impact with the supporters who help make our work expanding fair access to fresh, local food possible. Thank you to Presenting Sponsor H-E-B, Fruit Sponsor Tito's Handmade Vodka, and all our Seed Sponsors, listed below.

We are grateful to share that we raised over $326,000 at Farm to Plate to advance our mission of making healthy food accessible to all Texans while supporting small-scale farmers. 💚

All proceeds from Farm to Plate support SFC programs including SFC Farmers' Market, The Happy Kitchen’s free, hands-on cooking classes, Double Up Food Bucks Texas to help SNAP families bring home more fresh, nutritious food, and strengthen our advocacy for policies that create lasting change across the state.

Thanks too to the wonderful chefs and restaurants who shared their talent for a good cause:

Chef Robert Mata – Juliet Italian Kitchen
Chef Gabe Rivera and Chef Stephen Hood – parkside
Chef Eric Silverstein – The Peached Tortilla
Chef Ian Thurwachter – Intero
Chef Laila Bazahm – Siti Austin
Chef Michael Bertozzi – The Kitchen American Bistro
Jupiter Supper Club

Seed Sponsors: Holly and Jim Bohart, Laura Estes and Joyce Lauck, Charlotte Herzele, Julie and Tom Hudnall, Logan E. Jenkins CPA, PLLC Tax Planning & Preparation, Karma Suite, Sara Maxwell, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Mueller Scott, Angela and James Osborn, Keely and Erik Redding, In Memory of Naomi Weiner, and Nancy and Bill White.
Video by Cevallos Brothers Production

05/15/2026

05/14/2026

💐 Spring has sprung and so have many vegetables here in West Texas! Being drier and cooler means the West Texas growing season is shorter, but now is the time to find local carrots, peppers, and tomatoes at markets across Texas, including from Lubbock to El Paso. Sustainable Food Center West Texas

🥕 Carrots – Carrots are full of Vitamins A, K, E, calcium, phosphate, potassium, beta carotene and more. This nutrient dense vegetable is versatile in how you can use it in your cooking, from roasting it to using it in cakes and deserts.

🫑 Peppers – Bell Peppers are another great way to get vitamins and minerals into your diet. Bell peppers contain vitamins C, A, B6, folate, beta carotene, vitamin E and they are also high in fiber. Fun fact: each color of pepper contains different levels of each vitamin.

🍅 Tomatoes – Tomatoes contain high amounts of fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. This fruit is high in calcium, vitamin C, potassium, folate, vitamin K and beta carotene.

Knowing what can be grown locally and when is an excellent tool to shop more sustainably and build supporting small-scale farmers into your grocery routine.👨‍🌾 You can find locally grown fruits and vegetables like these in West Texas at Juicy Lucy's Veggies / Idalou Harvest Co, Ranchers Store Front- On the Square, and Mo’s Market

05/12/2026

These days, farm dogs just can’t keep pace with farm trucks. 😅 That could all change with YOUR VOTE for SFC Farmers' Market at Sunset Valley for Austin Chronicle’s Best Farmers’ Market! 1 vote = 1 MPH in doggo speed gains.

Just visit the link, enter your email and zip code, and VOTE! https://bit.ly/4d5ETYU

By the way, the SFC Farmers’ Market at Sunset Valley is also a hub for fair access to fresh, local food, a source of income for over 30 local farmers, ranchers, and artisans, and serves as an all-ages, inclusive community space with FREE parking! No biggie! Thanks to our community for the nomination. 💚

05/06/2026

How much is this gonna run me, doc? 🤕 Cooking and nutrition classes from SFC’s The Happy Kitchen / La Cocina Alegre are always FREE! 🤯

In this 6-week series, you’ll learn easy and affordable recipes that use fresh, local produce to support your health. Participants take home free groceries from each class to practice recipes at home. 💚 Register for free: https://secure.sustainablefoodcenter.org/a/thk_classes

Austin – Sign up for ongoing English and Spanish classes at CommUnityCare, People's Community Clinic, and upcoming classes at Gus Garcia Recreation Center.

05/05/2026

Market Moms – who else could support local farmers and their baby’s neck at the same time? 🦸🏽‍♀️

Let’s celebrate with mama! Join us this Saturday, May 9 at SFC Farmers' Market at Sunset Valley location for a special Mother’s Day market! 💓 We’ll have a card making station for kiddos and plenty of fresh produce and artisan goods for mama.

Our Foundation Communities, AVANCE-Austin will be sharing family resources and walk-up consultations with Central Texas WIC Mobile Unit are available, including lactation resources!

If you receive WIC, don't forget to pick up your seasonal WIC Voucher and participate in Triple WIC to take home MORE fresh fruits and veggies. WIC Vouchers and Triple WIC are available at both SFC Downtown and Sunset Valley Farmers' Markets.

04/29/2026

How do you like them Juicy Lucy's Veggies / Idalou Harvest Co apples? 🍎Farm to Plate is TOMORROW, and this year we’re excited to highlight hard cider from our farm partner Juicy Lucy’s Veggies / Idalou Harvest Company! 🥂

Guests at tomorrow’s Farm to Plate will have a chance to taste a variety of small-batch apple ciders made with West Texas-grown apples and peaches.🍏🍑

Juicy Lucy’s / Idalou Harvest is a longtime SFC partner, participating in our SNAP doubling program Double Up Food Bucks Texas and the WIC Voucher Program at farmers’ markets. Their 55-acre farm and orchard is an important source of local fruits and vegetables in the Lubbock area.

Cheers to Texas farmers and cheers to a new Texas cider! 🥂

04/25/2026

Farm to Plate is NEXT Thursday April 30! Do you have your outfit yet? We put together some inspiration to help you pick the perfect seaside glam look. 🌊💎

Congratulations to the winner of our ticket giveaway, .h4annah! Thanks to everyone who entered – your engagement with SFC helps raise awareness about our work connecting Texas families to fresh, local food. 💚

It’s not too late to buy your ticket! https://e.givesmart.com/events/KZ1/ Join us on Thursday at LZR for a six-course dinner prepared by Austin’s top culinary talents. Each course is perfectly paired with selections of Texas-made wine, and every dollar raised supports SFC programs.

04/23/2026

📣Calling all community champions: WE’RE HIRING!📣 Join our Austin-based team as the Central Texas Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator. This role is full time and hybrid with in-person requirements for Saturdays and regular community events.

About the Job: The Central Texas Outreach and Engagement Coordinator plans and implements community engagement and outreach activities across programs. The role includes coordinating outreach efforts, identifying potential program champions, engaging in grassroots marketing to increase program awareness and participation, and tracking activities through accurate collection and entry of qualitative and quantitative data. This is an outward-facing position that requires working Saturdays, conducting events with community partners, and externally representing SFC within the community.

Read the full job description and application instructions at https://sustainablefoodcenter.org/get-involved/careers/

04/21/2026

— We're celebrating the first ever Double Up Food Bucks Texas Summit! 🎉 SFC's Double Up Texas program doubles SNAP benefits for fruits and veggies at over 100 Texas farmers' markets and grocery stores through partnerships with food and health nonprofits who manage the program locally.

In a state as big as Texas, it was a special treat to have all our regional lead partners in one room: North Texas lead Texas Health Community Hope, South Texas leads Brownsville Wellness Coalition and City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, East Texas lead Northeast Texas Public Health District, Far West Texas lead Desert Spoon Food Hub, and team members from SFC's West Texas office.

Thanks to the dedication of the Double Up Texas network, over 250,000 Texans doubled SNAP to buy fresh produce in 2025 and redeemed over $1.9 M in program incentives at participating markets and stores.

This work is supported by the Fair Food Network, Nutrition Incentive Hub Capacity Building Fund Award, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

04/14/2026

Today is the LAST DAY to enter to win two tickets to attend SFC's Farm to Plate on April 30! ⏳ To enter, just follow Sustainable Food Center and KG BBQ and comment who you'd give your other ticket to. One entry per user, enter by 11:59 PM on April 14, 2026 for the chance to win.

Your tickets win you a seat at the table to enjoy six courses prepared by an all-star lineup of Austin's top chefs:

Passed Appetizers – Chef Robert Mata of Juliet Italian Kitchen
Soup Course – Chefs Gabe Rivera & Stephen Hood of Parkside
Vegetable Course – Chef Eric Silverstein of The Peached Tortilla
Pasta Course – Chef Ian Thurwachter of Intero
Main Course – Chef Laila Bazahm of Michelin-recommended Siti Austin
Dessert – Chef Michael Bertozzi of The Kitchen American Bistro

Plant-based menu by Jupiter Supper Club

Each course is perfectly paired with selections of fine Texas-made wines and every dollar raised at Farm to Plate supports our work expanding access to farm-fresh food and supporting small-scale farmer livelihood in Texas. 💚

04/12/2026

Today’s the day! Sustainable Food Center (SFC) is honored to be this year’s Statesman Capitol 10,000 non-profit beneficiary. A portion race registrations and all donations support our work expanding access to farm-fresh food. Stop by our table at the race festival to learn how we’re transforming Texas food through:

SFC Farmers' Market (Austin) – the only farmers’ markets in Texas where families shopping with WIC receive THREE TIMES their WIC benefits to spend on fresh fruits and veggies, boosting farmer sales and nourishing community health.

Double Up Texas – Did you know SFC also supports Texas farmers and families across Texas? Through SFC’s statewide program Double Up Texas, we double SNAP benefits at over 100 farmers’ markets and grocery stores across the state.

Thanks to this year’s presenting sponsor Baylor Scott & White Health and SFC media partner Austin Monthly for making Cap10k 2026 possible.

04/11/2026

Statesman Capitol 10,000 benefitting Sustainable Food Center (SFC) is TOMORROW, Sunday, April 12! Connect with SFC today at the race expo as well as tomorrow at the race festival. 🏃🏽‍♀️👟💫We'd love to talk to you about our work driving sales for small farms through nutrition incentive programs! 💚

Thanks to this year’s presenting sponsor Baylor Scott & White Health, SFC media partner Austin Monthly, and to Sneakers4Good for keeping old running shoes out of landfills AND directing donations to SFC.

04/10/2026

The moment you’ve been training for is almost here: two days until Statesman Capitol 10,000 benefitting Sustainable Food Center (SFC)! This year, every stride brings us closer to a regenerative food system where every Texan has access to fresh, local food and small farmers thrive. 💚

Connect with SFC at the race expo today and tomorrow to learn how SFC is Cultivating a Better Food Future through programs like Double Up Food Bucks Texas (Double Up Texas), which doubles SNAP benefits to buy MORE fresh fruits and veggies at over 100 farmers’ markets and grocery stores.

Thanks to this year’s presenting sponsor Baylor Scott & White Health and SFC media partner Austin Monthly for making Cap10k 2026 possible.

Video by Ventures Endurance

04/08/2026

GIVEAWAY: Win Two Tickets to SFC’s Farm to Plate ($900 Value) – We met up with Chef Kareem El-Ghayesh of KG BBQ at SFC Farmers' Market to talk ingredient shopping AND offer our communities two seats at the table at Farm to Plate on April 30. 😋🎟️🎟️

Just follow Sustainable Food Center and KG BBQ and comment your plus one to enter! One entry per user.

Farm to Plate is a chance to raise a glass to local food, enjoy six courses prepared by Austin’s top chefs, and raise money for SFC’s work increasing fair food access and small farmer sales. 💚

Farm to Plate 2026 Courses

Passed Appetizers by Chef Robert Mata of Juliet Italian Kitchen
Soup Course by Chefs Gabe Rivera & Stephen Hood of Parkside
Vegetable Course by Chef Eric Silverstein of The Peached Tortilla
Pasta Course by Chef Ian Thurwachter of Intero
Main Course by Chef Laila Bazahm of Michelin-recommended Siti Austin
Dessert by Chef Michael Bertozzi of The Kitchen American Bistro
Vegan options for each course from Jupiter Supper Club

Each course is perfectly paired with wine from the Hill County’s premiere vineyards and every dollar raised supports SFC’s work building a just and regenerative food system where people and the environment thrive.

04/08/2026

AUSTIN – SNAP X 5 is coming to a Farmshare Austin mobile market near you! Every day next week starting Monday April 13, you can visit a mobile market and receive $4 in Double Up Food Bucks for every $1 of your SNAP up to $150.

Double Up Food Bucks NEVER expire and you can spend them at SFC Farmers' Market and Texas Farmers' Market at Mueller, so you can spend some and save some!

How it works:

💵 $10 turns into $50
💵 $20 turns into $100
💵 $30 turns into $150

…all for fresh, local fruits, mushrooms and veggies!

Como lo hacemos:

💵 $10 se convierten en $50
💵 $20 se convierten en $100
💵 $30 se convierten en $150
… ¡todo por frutas, hongos y verduras frescas y locales!

Call SFC’s bilingual Help Desk / llame a la línea de asistencia bilingüe de SFC al (512) 730-1807

04/02/2026

OH SNAP! 🫰​Your SNAP x 5 is back at both SFC Farmers' Markets this Saturday April 4, 9 AM - 1 PM. Your business makes a difference – whether you're spending SNAP or swiping your card, you're supporting a markelocal farmers and SFC's work to bring farm-fresh food within reach of every Texan. 💚​

How to participate:

If you receive SNAP, you can participate! No additional paperwork needed. Just stop by the info booth, choose the amount of your benefits you want to multiply, and collect 5 times your benefits in market bucks!

Red SNAP dollars expire at your SNAP expiration and yellow Double Up Food Bucks NEVER expire. Red SNAP dollars can be spent on any SNAP-eligible foods and yellow Double Up Food Bucks are for fresh fruits and veggies.
Questions? Call SFC’s bilingual Help Desk at (512) 730-1807 for program support in English or Spanish.

03/31/2026

We 💚 our Sustainable Food Center team! Last week, SFC staff gathered for an in-person retreat at Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory. It was an opportunity to strengthen connection, celebrate growth, and commit to a food future where every Texan has access to farm-fresh food.

A highlight of the retreat was creating a collective mandala with plants and flowers. The beauty and smells of the plants from Austin Organic Gardeners reminded us of the abundance and power of the natural world to nourish us when we nourish it. 💮🌺🌻

Thanks to SFC staff for attending and to our community for supporting our work!

03/26/2026

Everybunny deserves fresh, local fruits and veggies. That's why we're bringing back Your SNAP x 5! Join us Saturday April 4 at SFC Farmers Market Downtown or at Sunset Valley for our one-of-a-kind SNAP multiplier event.

Your SNAP benefits multiply by 5 at SFC Farmers' Markets:

💵 $10 turns into $50
💵 $20 turns into $100
💵 $30 turns into $150

…all for fresh, local fruits, mushrooms and veggies!

El 15 de marzo de 2025, regresa su SNAP x5 y usted quiere asegurarse de haber hecho un plan para entrar, obtener lo que necesita y salir antes de que se acabe el tiempo. No se preocupe, ¡habrá más fechas más adelante este año!

📍 Sunset Valley (3200 Jones Rd.) y Downtown (422 Guadalupe St.)
🕘 9 a. m. a 1 p. m.

Sus beneficios SNAP se multiplican por 5 en los mercados de agricultores de SFC:

💵 $10 se convierten en $50
💵 $20 se convierten en $100
💵 $30 se convierten en $150
… ¡todo por frutas, hongos y verduras frescas y locales!

For Spanish - SFC Farmers' Markets = Mercados Agrícolas de SFC / Help Desk = Llame a nuestra línea de asistencia bilingüe de SFC al (512) 730-1807, lun.-sáb. de 9 AM a 12 PM.

03/24/2026

We need YOU to volunteer to support SFC at this year’s Statesman Capitol 10,000! 🏃🏽‍♀️🏅 From helping runners get ready at the Expo or being the first to congratulate them at the finish line, your support sets our team up for success as the 2026 Cap10k beneficiary. Sign up to volunteer during race weekend (April 10-13, 2026): https://bit.ly/4bMIGbM

Shift Details:
We have several windows where we need your help. You can sign up (https://bit.ly/4bMIGbM) for a block within these times:

Friday, April 10 (Cap10k Expo): 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Saturday, April 11 (Cap10k Expo): 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Race Day & Festival (Water, Medal Handout & Finish Line):

Sunday, April 12: 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Role: Water handout, and/or congratulating runners and awarding medals as they complete their 6.2-mile journey.

Perks: A race-day t-shirt, snacks and coffee to keep you fueled, and a morning filled with high-fives.

03/20/2026

Happy first day of spring! 🌸🌱"Seasonal produce" means something a little different depending on where you are in Texas. South Texas and some parts of Central Texas are already enjoying tomatoes while farther north, lots of spring produce is just beginning to ripen.

Shopping local provides insight into the resources and conditions in your region and strengthens the food system by supporting local food producers. What's fresh in your part of Texas on the first day of spring? 🤔

Farmers' markets are for everyone: right now in Central Texas and starting April 4 in West Texas, families who receive WIC can pick up $30-value WIC Vouchers to spend on fruits and veggies at your local farmers' market. When you spend WIC benefits and WIC Vouchers at farmers' markets, you're putting nutritious food on the table and supporting thriving livelihoods for local farmers.

Questions? Call SFC's bilingual Help Desk at (512) 730-1807 for information about participating in the WIC Voucher program this spring.

03/17/2026

Farmers and ranchers know that even plain-old three-leaf clovers bring luck to land, livestock, and pollinators! 🦋🍀🐄This St. Paddy’s Day, we’re recognizing that this deep-rooting ground cover is worth its weight in gold for the ways it supports:

Soil 🍀 As part of the bean family, clover converts soil nitrogen into a form plants can use. This reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and makes clover a great companion crop. Clover’s root network also reduces soil erosion.

Livestock 🍀 Cattle, goats, and poultry enjoy grazing on clover. Clover’s nitrogen fixation also supports other grasses thriving, creating rich and nutritious grazing pastures full of bugs for chickens to chase.

Pollinators 🍀Bees and butterflies are attracted to clover’s nectar, bringing more pollinators to your crops. Clover fields also provide habitat for beneficial insects like ladybugs and earthworms.

03/13/2026

Your inner child is invited to a picnic of farm-fresh, seasonal fruits and veggies with our inner child. Our local farmer’s inner child grew them with love. 💚

03/12/2026

We’re hiring! 🎉Join the Sustainable Food Center (SFC) team in Cultivating a Better Food Future as a PR & Advertising Specialist or as a Staff Accountant. Both roles are hybrid, full-time, and offer competitive benefits and generous PTO.

PR & Advertising Specialist (Austin) 📣– Support SFC’s mission through increasing brand awareness and expanding visibility statewide (Texas). The position will also contribute to increasing participation in SFC programs (such as food access initiatives, cooking classes and farmers markets), as well as support organizational fundraising.

Staff Accountant (Dallas) 🧮– supporting SFC’s financial health by maintaining accurate financial records, supporting day-today accounting functions, and ensuring compliance with nonprofit reporting requirements. The Staff Accountant will assist with month-end close, accounts payable and receivable, reconciliations, audit preparation, and grant-related financial tracking.

Read the full job descriptions and application instructions: https://sustainablefoodcenter.org/get-involved/careers/