Sustainable Food Center

The Weekly Dirt

THIS WEEKEND AT THE MARKETS
Highlights, Vendors, Events and more. Downtown and Sunset Valley - Sat. April 24

Welcome and please enjoy either of our two markets this Saturday, 9AM to 1PM: Sunset Valley, located just across from the Toney Burger Center, at Sunset Valley Elementary, and Downtown Austin at Republic Square.

Downtown: We are loving this cool and sunny weather lately, and so are the beautiful blooms from Animal Farm. Find bouquets with seasonal flowers like poppies, ranunculus, and daffodils. While you are there pick up a bunch of greens or delicate red carrots for your weekly meals. Steamies Dumplings has you covered for your midmarket snack attack try the pork & cabbage or vegan potstickers to fuel your morning shopping trip. Don’t forget to pick up a rustic loaf from Sanford Sourdough on your way out we can’t make it through a week without this delicious and crusty homemade bread.

Sunset Valley: If bringing your pup to market is the highlight of your weekend then by now you’ve been pulled over to the Chow Hound Raw table so your dog can delight in the table full of all-natural treats. Order ahead to pick up raw dog food that is both fresh, convenient, and affordable. Our dear friends at Green Thumb Farming are back with all sorts of spring veggies think tender collard greens, bright colored chard stems, and aromatic herbs. Once you have your produce lined up make sure to get a funky-fresh jar of ferments from Kimchi Rok. This kimchi is bite-sized and deliciously tangy, perfect for kimchi fried rice, inclusion in a quesadilla, or as a component on top of a perfectly composed rice bowl.

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.

We're Hiring!
We are looking for part-time associates to assist at our Double Up Food Bucks booth on Saturday's at our SFC Farmers' Markets.

Spread the Harvest Reaches New Heights
On March 25, our Food Access and Education team helped 433 Spread the Harvest member gardens kick off the spring planting season at our drive-thru Resource Giveaway Day at Givens Recreation Center. This was a new record for the number of gardens served at a Resource Giveaway Day! Read more on our blog about the impact of our most recent resource giveaway day.

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

"How to start your own veggie garden, indoors or outdoors"
By Chrissy Callahan, Today - The pros share tips for exercising your green thumb.

"Call to Action: Urge Congress to Support the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program"
By Ben Feldman, Farmers Market Coalition - Support farmers markets and communities by asking your representatives to increase funding for the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.

"Farmers have more mouths to feed. Bring in the robots."
By Dalvin Brown, Washington Post - Companies are rolling out more machines powered by artificial intelligence to zap weeds, pluck fruit and win over farmers

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

Recipe: Perfect Roasted Carrots (Three Ways!)
Move over, sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts! Cookie and Kate have a new favorite vegetable side dish for you — roasted carrots.