Sustainable Food Center

The Monthly Beet

Take Action! How You Can Help Build Healthy Soil in Texas

Since the industrialization of agriculture, soil has been thought of as simply a growing medium. A blank canvas, soil could support plant life and be manipulated to increase yields. But now we know soil is far more than that - it is a complex ecosystem and a crucial and irreplaceable part of our world.

The standard model of industrial agriculture effectively removes minerals from the ground to the point of depletion and replaces them with fertilizer. This model leaves soil degraded, vulnerable to erosion, and unable to perform its essential functions of retaining water and carbon, which are critical to mitigating the effects of climate change.

But why is soil so critical to our climate, and why aren’t more farmers growing food in ways that protect this natural resource? Today, we’re digging deep into soil and sharing what can you do to help protect it for future generations.

THIS WEEKEND AT THE MARKETS
Highlights, Vendors, Events and more. Downtown and Sunset Valley - Sat. March 13

SFC Farmers' Market at Sunset Valley is Temporarily Moving Downtown! Austin Public Health is collaborating with Austin Independent School District to open a COVID-19 Vaccination Site at the Toney Burger Center in South Austin. To accommodate this mass vaccination site, SFC is temporarily closing our Sunset Valley location and inviting our farmers, ranchers, and food entrepreneurs to join us Downtown at Republic Square.

For the foreseeable future, you will be able to find over 80 vendors in the heart of Downtown Austin - that means all the fresh veggies, pasture-raised meats, eggs, local honey, and artisan-made goods you’ve ever dreamed about in one central location! Remember, parking is free and public transportation is readily accessible along Guadalupe St. Families and individuals who use nutrition assistance benefits, like SNAP and WIC, can get double to spend on local fruits and vegetables with Double Up Food Bucks.

Flameleaf Farm (with tender heads of lettuce), Casper Fermentables (sourdough rolls, bagels, kimchis, and kombuchas), Teximo Foods (smoked salmon with a Texas flair), and Metcalf BBQ (locally smoked meats including beef and cheese sausage). For a full list of vendors in attendance at our Downtown market click here.

To keep our vendors, staff and customers safe, we request everyone wear a face covering or mask while in the market area. Click here to learn more about our safety measures. 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.

Garden Party for SFC
May 6. Held in the beautiful gardens of Barr Mansion, you'll enjoy a unique, upscale — and socially-distanced — picnic experience featuring delicious, exclusive meals prepared by Austin's top chefs. All proceeds benefit SFC. Tickets will be released very soon. *In the event of inclement weather or COVID-19 safety concerns, this event will move to a virtual experience.

SFC Awarded Legacy Collective Grant for Farmer Relief
We’re so grateful to the Legacy Collective for their generous grant toward our Winter Storm Uri Farmer and Rancher Relief efforts. With these funds, we will be able to provide immediate direct relief payments to farmers who experienced devastating impacts from the storm, as well as long-term support and investments in relief projects to ensure farmers and ranchers have long-term financial success. 50% of relief funding from the Legacy Collective will go directly toward Black and Brown farmer relief.

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

"Small Farmers Are Struggling After the Texas Big Freeze"
By Andy Hirschfeld, Civil Eats - Crop failures, seed shortages, and livestock deaths will have ongoing impacts on all types of farmers—but smaller, diversified farmers are bearing the brunt of a lack of state support.

"Texas Farmers Tally Up the Damage From a Winter Storm ‘Massacre’"
By Kim Severson, The New York Times - The state’s agriculture sector has lost an estimated $600 million or more. Crop and livestock damage could mean shortages and higher prices beyond Texas.

"Supporting Local Farmers and Ranchers Helps Everyone"
By Jessi Cape and Lina Fisher, Austin Chronicle - After the devastating winter storm system that sustained freezing temperatures and knocked out power and water across Central Texas, regional farmers and ranchers experienced extraordinarily harsh conditions, which in turn affects our entire local food system.

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

Recipe: Crunchy Cabbage Salad
Did you pick up an large head of cabbage, but aren't sure what to do with it all? Make this easy, seasonal side dish or entrée from our Happy Kitchen cookbook! We love that it uses a whole head of cabbage and can be prepared in advance for a week of lunches or dinner salads.