Sustainable Food Center

The Weekly Dirt

THIS WEEKEND AT THE MARKETS
Highlights, Vendors, Events and more. Downtown and Sunset Valley - Sat, Sept 5

Markets are open this weekend! To keep our vendors, staff and customers safe, we request everyone wear a face covering or mask while in the market area. Please visit our website to learn more about our safety measures.

SUNSET VALLEY: New Vendor Alert! Saddle up and head to Sunset Valley this weekend to meet our newest vendors. First up try Metcalf BBQ for slow-smoked brisket, jalapeno sausage, and quite possibly the best smoked turkey in the world. Love Succs Succulents is bringing the cutest home and apartment buddies ready for you to love. You will find cacti and succulents in galvanized pails, vintage pottery, and hanging in macramé baskets. Locally sourced and potted right here in Austin!

DOWNTOWN: New Vendor Alert! We are so excited to welcome SimpliThai to the Downtown market this weekend! Pick up a deliciously fresh meal kit, including locally sourced veggies and herbs, so you can make dinner in a snap. Try the pad kee mao, yellow curry, or tom kha soup for a fresh Thai dinner made from scratch! Also in attendance is Natalie Mackey’s Good Vibes tie-dye shop! Shirts, dresses, household items and more. Bring your own white clothing and get a custom piece made just for you, groovy! Last but not least, joining us this weekend is Pirate Pickles. These jars of crunch and tangy pickles are made with local cucumbers and other produce. On the table this weekend are ginger zinger pickles, pickled peaches, and spiced pickled beets!

SFC Farmers' Market match SNAP, WIC and FMNP benefits with Double Up Food Bucks! Visit our website for more information on which vendors will be at market, what products are in season, and more.

SFC UPDATE
SFC events, news, blogs and more.

ICYMI: A Message from Our Executive Director
Last week, our Board Chair shared the news that our wonderful Executive Director, Ronda Rutledge, will be leaving SFC at the end of this year. Today, Ronda shares a personal message about her pending departure and hopes for the future.

We're Hiring at the Markets!
We're looking for backup associates to assist us on-site at our SFC Farmers' Market locations. This is a part time position on Saturdays, 7am-3pm, Rain or Shine.

Texas Mamma Jamma Challenge
Sept 12-19. The Texas Mamma Jamma bike ride won’t happen in person this year, but you can still join the Mamma Jamma Challenge! Participate by logging 120 minutes of cumulative activity during the event dates, and you’ll support this great event and SFC in the process.

WHAT WE'RE READING THIS WEEK
We've dug up the dirt so you don't have to.

"USDA changes course on school meals, allowing schools to serve free lunch to all children"
By Jessica Fu, The Counter - The move permits schools to offer food to all kids, regardless of income or enrollment, through the end of 2020 “as funding allows.” It follows weeks of criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

"How Growing Food Can Change Your Life, According to Gardener Ron Finley"
By Mandy Oaklander, Time - In TIME for Health Talks, gardener Ron Finley and musician and food entrepreneur Questlove talk about how food builds community.

"Unless we change course, the US agricultural system could collapse"
By Tom Philpott, The Guardian - SFC Advisory Council member Tom Philpott highlights the dangers facing our country's agriculture system.

THE WEEKLY
We'll be sharing recipes to cook, terms you should know, and more in our weekly selection!

Recipe: Vegetable Soup
Cooler days are ahead - well, cooler for us Texans anyway. Who else is praising the forecast of highs in low 90's? If you're like us, you'll jump on any taste of fall right now, and what better way than by making a big pot of soup? Cozy up with this Vegetable Soup from Jessica in the Kitchen, featuring seasonal vegetables like yellow squash and onions, and indulge yourself in dreams of thick sweaters and chilly nights by the campfire.