Sustainable Food Center

The Monthly Beet

How Austin Came Together During Winter Storm Uri

A little over a year ago, Texas began to shut down as we entered the first round of stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. National supply chains were interrupted, and items such as beef and flour were hard to find. Fast-forward one year to February 2021: Winter Storm Uri — marked by record-breaking freezing temperatures, snow, and ice — clobbered Texas, which is still deep in the pandemic. Uri hit many Central Texas farmers and ranchers particularly hard. Many lost access to power and water, which caused them to lose both crops and livestock, with estimates exceeding $600 million in losses.

When these disasters happened, our community came together in support of each other. Today on the blog, we’re highlighting a few ways our community came together when we needed it the most.

THIS WEEKEND AT THE MARKETS
Highlights, Vendors, Events and more. Downtown and Sunset Valley - Sat. April 10

Welcome to market days, everyone! Just a reminder we continue at our new location in Sunset Valley, just across from the Toney Burger Center, at Sunset Valley Elementary, and as always in Downtown Austin at Republic Square. You can find some of the best assortment of locally grown veggies, meats, a variety of grab-and-go eats, and locally made artistic crafts.

Downtown: Celebrating and practicing sustainable farming with their French heritage for flavor is a great reason to visit Belle Vie Farm and Kitchen for their duck, chicken, and other meats they use for their delicious kitchen. Or visit Steamies Dumplings for a wonderful lunch to go and choose from their assortment of flavorful “dumplings handmade with love”. Finally, the market has something for everyone including our furry friends. Check out the assortment of treats from Chow Hound.

Sunset Valley: Discover a fresh new welcome to our Sunset Valley market, Eve’s Bakery. Eve’s started from mother-daughter recipes in the kitchen and sell a variety of Arabic and American goods from carrot cake to baklava. Stop by Art Bags by Felisa and shop from her beautiful arrangement of unique handmade bags. And make sure and visit Richardson Farms and get some of the finest quality meats for your weekend grilling from their family farm.

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.

On Sale Now! 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 available now! *In the event of inclement weather or COVID-19 safety concerns, this event will move to a virtual experience.

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

"Queer, BIPOC Farmers are Working for a More Inclusive and Just Farming Culture"
By Aaron Mok, Civil Eats - Young, queer farmers of color say they encounter high rates of racism, sexism, and other forms of identity-based oppression in farm country. Here’s how they’re working to change that.

"Once climate change deniers, the agriculture industry positions itself as part of the solution"
By Ignacio Calderon, USA Today - Riding a wave of shifting public opinion about the reality of climate change, the industry is positioning as part of the climate solution.

"Food Tank’s Spring 2021 Reading List"
By Food Tank - 23 books full of new ideas, recipes, and stories to help readers rethink the food system.

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

Recipe: Meatless Chicken Salad
Last week our Development Officer, Naomi Silverman, dropped by KXAN News Studio 512 to talk about our work at Sustainable Food Center and shared her very own meatless chicken salad recipe. Watch the video and learn more about this delicious spring recipe!