This report provides an update on City of Austin programs and initiatives designed to enhance the local food system in 4 areas: growing, selling, eating, and recovering food. Data sources used for this report are listed at the end of the document.
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18 STATE OF THE
FOOD SYSTEM
REPORT
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Everyone can relate to food in one way
or another—we all enjoy eating good,
healthy food prepared with care. But the
environmental, social, and economic
“footprint” of the food we eat each day
has many far-reaching and often invisible
implications that we may be unaware of.
In 2015, the Office of Sustainability released the first State of the Food System Report for
Austin, which provided an initial baseline understanding of the interconnected parts
of our local food system. The report was used to inform strategic planning for food-
related initiatives that support job creation, strengthen the local economy, improve
public health, and promote resilience.
In 2016, the City of Austin signed on to the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, which
reflects our voluntary commitment to develop a local food system that:
›
is inclusive, resilient, safe, and diverse,
›
provides healthy and affordable food to all people in ways that promote social and
economic equity,
›
minimizes waste and conserves biodiversity, and
›
adapts to and mitigates impacts of climate change.
This report shares some of the progress that has been made toward achieving a
healthy and just local food system. It contains updated metrics from the first State of
the Food System Report, as well as new indicators from the Milan Pact’s international
Framework for Action that allow comparisons between Austin’s food system and those
in other cities. Going forward, these data points will allow us to track our progress
toward an equitable and sustainable food system, which is critically important for the
overall health and vibrancy of Austin.
Lucia Athens
Chief Sustainability Officer
City of Austin Office of Sustainability
Introduction
Table of Contents
2
Understanding Austin’s
Food System
4
Efforts to Achieve a Sustainable
Food System for Austin:
4
GROWING FOOD:
Expanding local food production
8
SELLING FOOD:
Increasing demand for locally grown food
12
EATING FOOD:
Improving equitable access to nutritious food
16
RECOVERING FOOD:
Reducing food waste
19
Where do we go from here?
20
Ways to Provide Input
1
Understanding Austin’s
Food System
A food system is an interconnected network that includes
everything that happens with food—where and how it
is grown, distributed and sold, consumed, and ideally
recovered. A sustainable food system is locally based and
benefits everyone.
In 2015, the Office of Sustainability released the first
State of the Food System Report, which offered baseline
metrics about Austin’s dynamic food system, as well
as highlights about community initiatives designed
to support and strengthen it. At the time, several
areas were identified that would support positive
transformation of the local food system:
›
Produce more local food.
›
Improve infrastructure for processing
local food.
›
Increase sales of locally produced food.
›
Expand access to fresh, healthy, and affordable
food for everyone.
›
Reduce the amount of wasted food.
Since the release of the report, the Office of
Sustainability has worked closely with multiple
City departments, Austin-Travis County Food Policy
Board Working Groups, and a broad and diverse group of community stakeholders
on initiatives and programs to address these recommendations. Guiding those
efforts are some key statistics that indicate opportunities to leverage existing
strengths or address shortcomings.
Good News:
›
Since 2015, the number of community gardens in Austin increased 29 percent.
›
Since 2015, the number of active gardens at Austin Independent School District
schools increased 7 percent.
›
The total annual economic impact of food in Austin is $4.1 billion.
›
In just three years, Austin households that receive curbside composting has grown
from 14,000 to 90,000.
FO D
SYSTEM
REPORT
MAY 2015
STATE OF THE
2
Areas of Concern:
›
Less than 1 percent of the food consumed in Austin is produced locally.
›
15 percent of Travis County residents are food insecure.
›
42 percent of people income eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program in Travis County have not enrolled.
›
450,000,000 pounds of food are wasted each year in Austin.
This report provides an update on City of Austin programs and initiatives designed to
enhance the local food system in four areas:
›
Growing food: Expanding local food production
›
Selling food: Increasing demand for locally grown food
›
Eating food: Improving equitable access to nutritious food
›
Recovering food: Reducing food waste
Since 2015, efforts to strengthen Austin’s
food system have been focused on expanding
local food production, increasing demand
for locally grown food, improving access to
nutritious food, and reducing food waste.
3
Efforts to Achieve a Sustainable Food System for Austin
GROWING FOOD:
Expanding local food production
Good News:
›
80 percent of Austin Independent School District schools have an active food
garden, a 7 percent increase since 2015.
›
There are 212 school gardens in the Austin Metropolitan Statistical Area.
›
There was an increase from 52 to 67 community gardens in Austin
since 2015, a 29 percent increase.
›
There are 23 community gardens on City-owned land, an increase
of 15 percent since 2015.
›
There are 34 urban farms in Austin, up from 23 in 2015.
›
Over 1,500 soil tests for nutrient analysis and harmful heavy metals
in Austin area yards and gardens have been completed since 2015.
Areas of Concern:
›
9.3 acres of farmland are lost each day; over the last 11 years, Travis County has
lost 25 percent of its farmland.
Expanding local food production offers multiple benefits for Austin. Urban farms
and gardens strengthen the local food system by making fresh fruits, vegetables,
and herbs readily available at the neighborhood scale. Gardens and farms provide
green infrastructure to help with microclimate regulation, protect natural habitat,
and promote pollination. School and community gardens contribute positively to
human well-being by strengthening social connections and access to nature in urban
areas. Local food production also supports Austin’s economy and provides Austinites
with opportunities for recreation, learning about nutritious food, and connecting
with neighbors. The City of Austin’s efforts to increase local food production include
initiatives that preserve farmland, provide technical resources for gardeners, and
expand the number of community gardens throughout the city.
Urban farms strengthen the local food system at the
neighborhood scale, but are increasingly under threat with
more than nine acres of farmland lost each day. It’s critical
to strike a balance between preserving prime local farmland
and developing more affordable housing.
4
Farmland Preservation
In fast growing cities like Austin, significant amounts of farmland are being
lost to development pressures. Austin is experiencing this loss of farmland at an
unprecedented rate. In fact, Travis County ranks second in the state for farmland lost
to development. To address these concerns, the City of Austin has supported residential
community planning with embedded farmland.
Green Gate Farm
For over 10 years, Green Gate Farm has operated a certified organic farm in East
Austin, providing the community with nutritious food and educational opportunities
for children. When a developer bought the property, there was concern that the farm
would be lost. Extensive planning and conversations among stakeholders resulted in
a proposal that will allow the 5-acre farm to remain in its current location with a ‘tiny
home’ community to be built around the farm. These 100 modular homes will provide
mid-tier housing options in a tight housing market. With this solution, everybody can
win: farmers, developers, and homeowners.
Community First! Village
Another innovative initiative is the Community
First! Village. This 27-acre master-planned
community, developed by Mobile Loaves & Fishes,
provides affordable, permanent housing and a
supportive community for chronically homeless
people. A world-class farm was established in
the center of the village, providing food for the
community, jobs for residents, and a health-
centered focal point for the entire development.
Community Gardening Technical Resources
Central Texas School Garden Network
With leadership from the Office of Sustainability, the Central Texas School Garden
Network was formed in June of 2015 to bring together individuals and organizations
interested in creating thriving gardens on local K-12 school campuses. The group meets
regularly to share best practices and lessons learned about growing plants, creating
opportunities for hands-on learning for students, providing wildlife habitat, and
enjoying the harvest from on-site edible gardens. The goal is to assist schools throughout
Austin with useful tools and materials to create gardens that improve student health
outcomes, academic results, and school experiences.
Photo courtesy of Mobile Loaves and Fishes
“We’re excited to use County assets—like land and economic
incentives—to increase local food production and support the
regional food economy.”
— Elliott Smith, Travis County Planning & Budget Office
5
Through the efforts of the 122 individuals representing 212 gardens in the Network, a
website was launched in 2017 that highlights case studies and resources about how to
start or maintain wildlife habitat gardens, food gardens, outdoor classrooms and trails,
domesticated animal programs, pollinator programs, and water collection projects
for irrigation. As part of the Network, The University of Texas’ School of Nutrition has
created an evaluation program to measure the impact of school gardens and solidify
ongoing support. The Network also supported Austin Independent School District in the
development of their Garden to Café guidelines, providing garden leaders and kitchen
staff with a clear process for getting delicious produce from school gardens into cafeterias.
Austin’s Soil Kitchen
The Brownfields Revitalization Office, a division of Austin Resource Recovery, supports
local food gardeners by sponsoring free soil tests. Soil testing is an important start
for preparing garden beds before planting.
Understanding what is actually in the soil
provides gardeners with the information
they need to successfully grow healthy food
for their families. In 2015, the Brownfields
Office held the first Soil Kitchen in Austin
and began testing local samples for arsenic
and lead as well as nutrients such as nitrogen
and phosphorous.
To date, more
than 1,500 soil
tests have been
conducted
for backyard,
community, and school gardens. The Soil Kitchen also
provides information to help with understanding heavy
metals and nutrient ranges, tips for the best types of plants
and gardens based on sample results, and advice on how to
reduce pollution from common fertilizers.
“Historical uses of land, even
for residential use, may have
left behind heavy metals.
The Soil Kitchen provides
an opportunity to inform
gardeners of what’s in their
soil and what can be done to
improve soil quality and
food safety.”
— Christine Whitney, program
manager for Brownfields
Revitalization Office
Photos courtesy of AISD
6
Increasing Community Gardens
There is high demand for community gardens in Austin. Fifteen new community
gardens have been established since 2015, bringing the total to 67, which includes 23
on City-owned land. The Parks and Recreation Department facilitates the creation of
new community gardens through its Community Gardens Program, which provides a
single point-of-contact for community groups that want to start a new garden or need
technical assistance for an existing garden.
In 2017, the City’s Community Gardens Program formed a partnership with Austin
Independent School District to encourage development of community gardens
at schools. Additionally, the Office of Sustainability’s Bright Green Future Grants
program has provided funding to implement 34 school and community gardens at
local schools since 2013. These gardens provide surrounding residents with space
to grow fresh produce while
strengthening community ties.
Community gardens at schools
that are tended by neighbors—
not just students, teachers,
and parents alone—also help
to address challenges with
sustaining school gardens
year-round.
Parks and Recreation Department
staff are also partnering with
Cities Connecting Children to
Nature on a Green School Park
initiative to green schoolyards
with community gardens, outdoor
classrooms, butterfly gardens,
and herb gardens.
“The popularity of community gardens in Austin has been
increasing over the last five years, and we have more
demand for garden plots than are available. Austinites want
to be able to grow fresh, healthy, affordable food in their
neighborhoods—community gardens are a wonderful way for
them to create community while gardening together.”
— Meredith Gauthier, Community Gardens Program Coordinator
7
Good News:
›
There are 30 farmers markets in the Austin Metropolitan Statistical Area,
up from 18 in 2015.
›
Farm to Work programs across Austin delivered local produce to more than
2,395 people in 2017.
›
Good Food Purchasing Program participants are impacting $24 million in
food purchasing annually.
Areas of Concern:
›
Less than 1 percent of the food consumed in Austin is produced locally.
›
57 percent of Austin Independent School District students are eligible for Free
and Reduced Price Lunch.
Food production in Central Texas is diminishing rapidly as farmland is lost to
development, farmers age and leave the workforce, and farm labor income remains
below the poverty level. Increasing demand for locally produced food could help to
address these challenges by making farming more economically viable.
Farm to Work
In 2017, the Sustainable Food Center’s
Farm to Work program delivered over
7,000 baskets of fresh, local produce
to more than 2,395 people at 37 work
sites across Austin. Community
Supported Agriculture programs
offer opportunities for consumers
to buy seasonal produce directly
from local farms. The City of Austin’s
Farm to Work program is available
for staff to purchase from five farms:
Farmshare, Braune Farms, Texas
Food Ranch, Lightsey, and Johnson’s
Backyard Garden. The program was
expanded in 2017 to serve a total of
2,160 employees.
Efforts to Achieve a Sustainable Food System for Austin
SELLING FOOD:
Increasing demand for locally grown food
Photo courtesy of Central Health
8
Good Food Purchasing Program
Finding ways to scale up purchasing power is the next big challenge. The Office of
Sustainability is piloting a program with huge potential to leverage institutional food
purchasing to increase demand for local food that is produced sustainably. Through
a partnership with the Center for Good Food Purchasing, this initiative will support
and bolster local food production by creating a stable consumer base with
consistent demand.
The Good Food Purchasing Program is currently being implemented in nine cities
across the United States—such as Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles—and can
be adapted to work with each city’s specific conditions. Five value categories are
emphasized for food purchasing decisions:
›
local economies
›
environmental sustainability
›
labor conditions
›
animal welfare
›
nutrition
Increasing demand for local food is one strategy
to help make farming economically viable. Efforts
to aggregate products from small farms could help
connect local producers to institutional markets.
9
Austin is the first city
in Texas to pilot the
Good Food Purchasing
Program. Joining the
Office of Sustainability
in this effort are three
major institutional
entities: The University
of Texas at Austin Office
of Sustainability, Austin
Independent School
District, and the Austin Convention Center. These institutional partners serve more than
100,000 meals per day and have a combined food purchasing budget of $24 million.
Austin’s Good Food Purchasing Program pilot provides participating organizations
with an opportunity to assess performance, determine baselines for local food
purchases, and develop a shared framework to use in setting sustainability standards
for future purchases. The goals of this pilot are to:
›
Provide a model for other local institutions to adopt and further aggregate
demand for local, sustainably produced food.
›
Improve air, water, and soil quality, as well as healthy conditions for farm animals,
which also increases community resilience.
›
Reduce the number of Texas farmers and farm workers relying on food stamps.
›
Promote fair labor conditions to
ensure that farm employees follow
health and safety regulations.
›
Encourage the diversion of food
waste to keep valuable nutrients
out of the landfill.
›
Contribute to the City of Austin’s
goal of net-zero community-wide
greenhouse gas emissions by reducing
the need for food to be transported
from distant locations and the amount
of methane produced by landfills.
›
Ensure better access to healthy food,
specifically for children in low-income
communities who depend on school
meals to meet the majority of their
dietary needs.
Photo courtesy of AISD
“The Good Food Purchasing Program provides
a simple framework for AISD to use in
communicating with stakeholders about
where we are with our purchasing goals, why
we make the purchasing decisions that we do,
and where we’re headed next.”
— Anneliese Tanner
Executive Director of Austin Independent School
District Food Services and Warehouse Operations
10
AISD Good Food Purchasing Outcomes
Public schools are responsible for feeding some of Austin’s most vulnerable
populations; in fact, 57 percent of Austin Independent School District (AISD)
students are eligible for free and reduced price lunch. Adoption of Good Food
Purchasing Program principles will ensure that low-income students can enjoy the
benefits of fresh, nutritious local food that is produced responsibly. However, finding
a local supply for vegetables that can be served as part of 45,000 lunches each day can
be a challenge.
AISD’s Director of Food Services and Nutrition is working with the Center for Good
Food Purchasing to partner with local vendors like Fiesta Tortilla Factory and Texas
French Bread, as well as local farms like Johnson’s Backyard Garden. Working together,
they plan crops to ensure that every campus has access to the same high quality, fresh
foods. Participating in the Good Food Purchasing Program has provided a framework
from which the school district can continue to set even more ambitious goals and
celebrate their successes along the way. AISD was able to show improvement across all
five value categories from the 2015 to 2016 school years.
Photo courtesy of AISD
11
Good News:
›
Austin Public Health’s Fresh For Less program that was initiated in 2016 has grown to:
›
7 Mobile Markets › 7 Farm Stands › 8 Healthy Corner Stores
Areas of Concern:
›
15 percent of Travis County residents are food insecure.
›
21 percent of children in Travis County are food insecure.
›
13 ZIP codes in Travis County do not have a grocery store.
›
42 percent of people income eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Food
Assistance Program (SNAP) in Travis County have not enrolled.
Barriers to Accessing Healthy Food in Austin
In Austin-Travis County, 15 percent of people are food insecure, compared to the
national average of 13 percent. Research has identified a strong connection between
food insecurity and increased rates of negative health outcomes; lack of access to a
nutritious diet is a risk factor for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. These
health outcomes present a high cost for Austin in terms of medical care, reduced
educational attainment, and lost work days.
Four key barriers to healthy food access have been identified for Austin:
›
Limited availability of fresh, high-quality, nutritious food in stores.
›
Affordability of fresh produce based on the amount of income available for food
purchases.
›
Lack of awareness of food assistance and nutrition programs, such as SNAP, WIC,
and Double Dollars, and about nutritious food preparation.
›
Limited mobility options that offer residents frequent and safe access to food retail.
ZIP codes experiencing the highest rates of food insecurity are located primarily
in Austin’s Eastern Crescent neighborhoods, and African-American and Latino
communities are disproportionately affected.
Improving Access to Healthy Food
As Austin continues to grow, so do concerns around affordability. Many families are
directing more of their household budget toward housing costs, with fewer resources
available for food, transportation, childcare, and healthcare. Higher-priced housing
is also displacing populations from the central city to suburban and rural areas with
Efforts to Achieve a Sustainable Food System for Austin
EATING FOOD:
Improving equitable access to nutritious food
12
fewer amenities and resources. While food insecurity rates appear to have gone down
in recent years, this apparent decrease is likely the result of people moving away from
Austin due to affordability concerns.
Everyone in our community deserves access to high quality food retail. However,
solutions focused on bringing new food retail to areas with food access barriers are
challenging to implement. Many grocers and food retailers operate on thin margins
and require population density that is often not present in new growth and rural
areas. Supporting the development of a right-sized, community-supported food retail
establishment that can serve and stabilize the community should be a priority.
To improve access to healthy and affordable food with more viable food retail
opportunities, Austin Public Health provided a new full time position in 2016 to
implement Healthy Food Retail strategies. Collectively known as the Fresh for Less
program, these strategies are designed to remove barriers to equitable food access
and increase the amount of healthy and affordable food retail available in low-income
communities, as well as provide community members with additional purchasing
power for nutritious food items. To address the gap between the number of residents
who are eligible to receive SNAP benefits and those who actually participate in the
program, Austin Public Health worked with The University of Texas School of Public
Health to identify barriers to enrollment and funded a media campaign that resulted
in increased calls to the Central Texas Food Bank to initiate the enrollment process.
The City of Austin allocated $2.26 million to healthy
food access programs and services in FY 2018.
13
Fresh for Less Program
To bring fresh nutritious food to the communities with greatest need, Austin Public
Health partnered with local non-profits Go! Austin / ¡Vamos! Austin, Farmshare
Austin, and the Sustainable Food Center. This collaboration identified 21 low access
areas, defined as ZIP codes with more than 5,000 SNAP recipients, census tracts with
more than 25 percent of residents living below the poverty line, and areas with high
rates of chronic disease risk factors.
Fresh For Less program initiatives in
these areas include Healthy Corner
Stores, Mobile Markets, and Farm Stands.
Fresh for Less Healthy Corner Stores
are convenience stores and gas stations
that offer a variety of healthy food
items, including produce. Eight Healthy
Corner Stores in the 78744 and 78745
ZIP codes participated in the Fresh for
Less program in 2017.
Mobile Markets are markets on wheels that serve areas facing geographic barriers to
buying fresh produce by taking healthy food closer to where people live. Farm Stands
are community-run produce markets in locations that are within walking distance
for residents in low access neighborhoods. Six Mobile Markets and five Farm Stands
had 2,824 customer visits in 2017. These customers collectively purchased more than
$22,000 of fresh produce and healthy staples.
All Fresh for Less markets and farm stands accept SNAP benefits, and many are able to
double those benefits through the Sustainable Food Center’s Double Dollar program.
An evaluation conducted by The University of Texas School of Public Health in 2017
found that 80 percent of customers surveyed had increased the variety of produce they
purchased at Mobile Markets or Farm Stands, and 76 percent had increased the amount
of fruits and vegetables consumed by their families.
“Our Fresh for Less partners are
using community-informed
strategies to increase healthy food
access. The goal is to provide more
access points for affordable, fresh
fruits and vegetables close to
home, so that it is easier to make
healthy choices.”
— Stephanie Helfman
Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention
Program Manager, Austin Public Health
14
Additional Considerations
Finding opportunities to increase the supply of fresh, nutritious food in specific
communities alone will not significantly impact food insecurity or negative health
outcomes from dietary-related disease. Access to healthy food is influenced by
multiple, interconnected factors, availability being only one part of the equation.
Food is the most elastic part of a household budget; rent, transportation, utility bills,
and medical expenses tend to be fixed costs, with the remainder of the budget left
for food. Affordable housing allows low-income households to allocate more budget
toward healthy food and other needs. With the majority of Austin-Travis County
residents living far from healthy food retail, mobility options that allow people to
safely and easily get to store locations is also an important piece of the access puzzle.
Family of Four Annual Budget
Fixed costs such as rent, transportation, and utility bills cut
into the amount of money that can be spent on food and other
necessities, especially among low-income families.
Affordable
housing
Affordable
transportation
Access to
healthy food
LESS
FOOD INSECURITY
and
BETTER
QUALITY OF LIFE
Supporting the alignment of affordable housing, public
transit, and healthy food availability can improve access to
nutritious food, as well as the quality of life, for the most
vulnerable populations in Austin-Travis County. Addressing
all three of these factors can successfully move the needle
on food insecurity and community health.
Median Rent
Car Ownership
Utilities
Food
Everything Else
(Child care, healthcare,
other necessities)
$38,900
50% of Median
Family Income*
$62,250
80% of Median
Family Income*
*Based on Median Family Income for a family of four in the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area
15
Good News:
›
Over 10 million pounds of food in Austin are recovered annually for human
consumption.
›
Since 2015, there has been a more than 500 percent increase in households that
receive curbside composting, up from 14,000 to 90,000 households.
Areas of Concern:
›
About 1.24 million pounds of food, including edible food and food scraps, are
wasted each day in Austin.
›
Four percent of community-wide greenhouse gas emissions come from methane
produced by discarded organics in landfills.
The City of Austin’s Zero Waste goal aims to keep at least 90 percent of discarded
materials out of area landfills by 2040. A study released by Austin Resource Recovery
found that nearly 20 percent of what ends up in landfills from private waste streams
is food that could have been composted, converted to animal feed, or recovered to feed
people. Furthermore, when food waste is landfilled it creates methane, a greenhouse
gas more potent than carbon dioxide. Eliminating food waste will also help to meet the
City’s goal of net-zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Efforts to Achieve a Sustainable Food System for Austin
RECOVERING FOOD:
Reducing food waste
16
To reduce food waste, Austin Resource Recovery is taking a number of steps.
›
The Universal Recycling Ordinance requires that all commercial and multifamily
properties provide employees and tenants with access to on-site recycling, and
that food-permitted businesses must provide employees with access to on-site
diversion of organic materials. On October 1, 2018, all Austin food-permitted
businesses were required to comply.
›
Austin Resource Recovery promotes food recovery and offers technical support via
individual consultations and trainings with businesses; provides rebates that can
be used to implement food recovery programs; and develops resources for business,
such as tip sheets, food donation signs, and industry best-practice guides.
›
In June 2018, curbside organics collection expanded again, resulting in over
90,000 households receiving the service, or almost half of Austin Resource
Recovery’s customers. By 2020, the service will be offered to all customers,
pending approval by City Council.
›
The Home Composting Rebate Program was expanded in 2017 to include chicken-
keeping. Chickens can help keep food scraps out of the landfill; one chicken eats
an average of one-quarter pound of food daily.
Reducing the amount of food waste sent to landfills can help
conserve resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and
assist community members who do not have enough to eat.
17
In Austin, the amount of food wasted each year is equal to 187,397 meals per day—
more than enough to feed every food insecure person three meals a day for the entire
year. While not all food sent to landfills is edible, some of it is safe and nutritious and
can be recovered. And while diverting food waste from landfills will not solve food
insecurity, it can be part of the solution.
To bring attention to this opportunity,
Austin Resource Recovery, Central
Texas Food Bank, Keep Austin Fed, and
the Austin chapter of the New Leaders
Council convened the first Feeding the
5000 event in Texas at the State Capitol
in October 2017. Over 3,200 attendees
were fed delicious meals made from
food that would have been wasted,
and 2,000 additional meals were
served post-event by Keep Austin Fed
and Central Texas Food Bank partner
organizations—resulting in more than
3,000 pounds of food being saved!
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is one of many organizations working with
Keep Austin Fed to operate a Food Rescue Program. Within the first month of the
program in 2017, more than 3,500 unsold sandwiches, salads, and snack boxes from
concessionaires were donated to those in need.
“Too many valuable resources
go wasted every day—including
food. With a comprehensive
approach that includes waste
reduction, food donation, and
composting what’s left, we can
all help ensure that valuable
resources are maximized for
higher and better use.”
— Sam Angoori, Interim Director
for Austin Resource Recovery
18
Food is much more than what we eat. The system that surrounds
all things related to food provides the foundation for life and
significantly shapes our culture. Yet thinking about food as a
system is relatively new, with few agreed-upon benchmarks to
evaluate its performance.
I am proud that the City of Austin is committed to being on
the forefront of strengthening and enhancing Austin’s entire
food system. Our participation in national and international
organizations is leading to the best strategies for Austin. Through our work with the Milan
Urban Food Policy Pact, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, and the U.S. Conference
of Mayors Food Policy Network, we have identified metrics that will allow us to compare
the health of Austin’s food system with other cities around the world. This information is
being used to set goals for positively impacting the food system right here at home.
Prioritizing the local food system gives Austin control over the hidden costs of
food to our community. These costs include negative environmental impacts from
unsustainable production and long-distance distribution, poor health outcomes
associated with eating low quality food, and low wages for food workers that increase
poverty rates and exacerbate affordability challenges. Austin has an unparalleled
food community—from local urban farms and community gardens to world-class
restaurants and grocery stores. However, current data indicate that not everyone has
equitable access to all this bounty. Our office is committed to collaborating with the
community to ensure a more sustainable local food system, prioritizing assistance to
vulnerable populations in favor of greater health, prosperity, and equity.
Much of the work described in this report is a strong start to strengthening Austin’s
food system. New initiatives that will build on this work include:
›
A shared evaluation platform for local farmers markets to measure their impact.
›
Development of an incubator farm on City-owned property.
›
Encouraging the use of electric vehicles for food distribution and refrigeration.
›
Piloting a Nutritious Food Incentive Program to increase purchasing power for
fresh produce at brick-and-mortar food retail.
›
Exploring how to attract a community-supported food retail establishment that
provides healthy, affordable food to low-access areas.
We will continue the work of ensuring that Austin’s food environment supports
healthy and sustainable food choices for everyone.
Edwin Marty
Food Policy Manager, City of Austin Office of Sustainability
Where do we go from here?
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Food is a human right, and growing food
is vital to ensuring the availability and
accessibility of food for all Austin residents.
The Austin Travis County Food Policy Board
recommends policies and practices to
construct a healthy, equitable, and vibrant
food system.
In 2016, the Austin City Council approved the Austin Healthy Food Access Initiative,
six important recommendations for improving the local food system. These
recommendations are now being realized through collaborations of government, higher
education, nonprofits, businesses, and the agriculture community. By working together,
we can make healthy food a reality for everyone.
The Board also recognizes the need to preserve and strengthen food growing capacity
for our local producers and community members. In 2016 the Board passed a
recommendation for improved support and funding for Community Gardens, and in
2017 the Board passed a recommendation for Urban Agriculture on City-owned land.
The Board will continue to build on these initiatives and others through Working Groups
focused on critical issues facing Austin. I encourage the community to get involved in
these efforts. Come to a Board meeting or join a Working Group. We need your voice to
create a food system that works for everyone in Austin-Travis County.
Adrienne Haschke
Chair of the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board
Ways to Provide Input
The Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board advises both the Austin City Council and
Travis County Commissioners Court about ways to improve the availability of safe,
nutritious, and affordable food that is grown locally and sustainably for all residents,
particularly those in need. The purpose of the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board is to:
›
Address health disparities.
›
Increase local sustainable food production.
›
End food injustices.
›
Ensure the community has a voice in policy decisions that support a healthy
and equitable food system.
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Working Groups
The Farmland Preservation Working Group of the Austin-Travis County Food Policy
Board works to develop policies and procedures to preserve existing farmland and
increase access to new farmland for farmers from diverse backgrounds, communities,
and skillsets. The Working Group makes recommendations for the use of City-owned
property for urban farming and fair property taxes for farmers, and supports efforts to
conduct a regional foodshed study.
The Codes and Ordinances Working Group of the Austin-Travis County Food Policy
Board works to ensure a comprehensive yet accessible set of codes, ordinances,
rules, and policies to stimulate a thriving community-based food system. In 2017,
the Working Group drafted a white paper highlighting how the City of Austin’s land
development code rewrite (CodeNEXT) could support the development of a local,
sustainable, and equitable food system.
The Food and Climate Working Group quantifies the carbon footprint of the Food
and Agriculture sector in Austin-Travis County, and supports increasing demand for
local food. The group also works to provide solutions to mitigate associated greenhouse
gas emissions, sequester atmospheric carbon, and build a resilient food system for all
Austin residents.
The Healthy Food Access Working Group of the Austin-Travis County Food Policy
Board meets monthly to discuss ongoing and planned healthy food access initiatives,
as well as opportunities for improvement. Findings from these meetings are shared
with the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board to inform policy recommendations to
the Austin City Council and Travis County Commissioners Court.
The Food Recovery Working Group of the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board
identifies and promotes solutions for using wasted food to feed people and animals
and improve soil quality. Working group findings are shared with the Food Policy
Board to inform policy recommendations to the Austin City Council and Travis County
Commissioners Court.
For more information on how to join a working group, visit:
austintexas.gov/page/sustainable-food-policy-board-get-involved
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For more information, visit austintexas.gov/food
or email sustainability@austintexas.gov.
100% POST CONSUMER RECYCLED PAPER
Data Sources by Report Section
Value
When
Scope
Data Source
Growing Food
Farmland lost each day
9.3 acres
2002-2012
Travis County
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Percent of farmland lost
25% Over 10 years
2002-2012
Travis County
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Percent of locally produced food
Less than 1%
2012
Travis County
USDA 2012 Agriculture Census
Number of urban farms
34
2018
Travis County
City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department
Number of community gardens
67
2018
City of Austin
City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department
Number of community gardens on City-owned land
23
2018
City of Austin
City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department
Number of AISD schools with a garden
212
2018
Austin MSA
Sustainable Food Center
Percent of AISD schools with a garden
80%
2018
Austin Independent School District
Sustainable Food Center
Number of soil tests completed through the City of
Austin's Soil Kitchen program
over 1,500
2018
Austin-area
Austin Resource Recovery
Number of schools and community gardens that have
received Bright Green Future Grants since 2013
34
SY 2013-1017
Austin-area
City of Austin Office of Sustainability
Selling Food
Total economic impact of food
$4.1B (.45% of GDP)
2013
Austin MSA
City of Austin Food Impact Study
Number of regional Farmers Markets
30
2015
Austin MSA
Edible Austin
Number of individuals served by Farm to Work programs
2,395
2017
Austin MSA
Sustainable Food Center
Number of work sites served by Farm to Work programs
37
2018
Austin MSA
Sustainable Food Center
Number of Farm to Work baskets delivered
7,000
2017
Austin MSA
Sustainable Food Center
Number of City of Austin employees served by Farm to
Work program
2,160
2018
Austin MSA
Sustainable Food Center
Number of meals served annually by Good Food
Purchasing Program (GFPP) participants
100,000
2017
University of Texas Division of
Housing and Food Services, Austin
Independent School District, & Austin
Convention Center
University of Texas Division of Housing and Food
Services, Austin Independent School District, and
Austin Convention Center
Annual purchasing power of Good Food Purchasing
Program (GFPP) participants
$24 Million
2017
University of Texas Division of
Housing and Food Services, Austin
Independent School District, and
Austin Convention Center
University of Texas Divison of Housing and Food
Services, Austin Independent School District, and
Austin Convention Center
Percent of AISD students eligible for Free and Reduced
Price Lunch
57%
2017
Austin Independent School District
Austin Independent School District
2018 State of the Food System Report
Eating Food
Percent / number of population that is food insecure
15.2% (174,100)
2016
Travis County
Feeding America
Percent / number of children who are food insecure
20.7% (54,640)
2016
Travis County
Feeding America
Number of ZIP codes that do not have a grocery store
13
2017
Travis County
City of Austin Office of Sustainability
Number of Fresh for Less Program locations
7 Mobile Markets, 7 Farm
Stands, and 8 Healthy
Corner Stores
2017
Austin MSA
Austin Public Health
Percent of residents who are income eligible for
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) but
not enrolled
42%
2013
Travis County
Feeding Texas SNAPshot
City of Austin budget allocated to healthy food access
programs and services
$2.26 Million
FY 2018
City of Austin
Austin Public Health
Annual budget for a family of four
USDA Moderate Cost Food Plan and Community
Impact article
Number of customer visits to Fresh for Less Mobile
Markets and Farm Stands
2,824
2017
City of Austin
Austin Public Health
Dollars spent at Fresh for Less Mobile Markets and Farm
Stands
more than $22,000
2017
City of Austin
Austin Public Health
Percent of Fresh for Less Mobile Market and Farm Stand
customers that increased consumption of fruits and
vegetables
76%
2017
City of Austin
University of Texas School of Public Health Survey
Percent of Fresh for Less Mobile Market and Farm Stand
customers that increased the variety of fruits and
vegetables purchased
80%
2017
City of Austin
University of Texas School of Public Health Survey
Recovering Food
Amount of food recovered annually for human
consumption
Over 10,000,000 pounds
2017
Austin MSA
Austin area food recovery agencies survey
Amount of food wasted daily
About 1.24 million pounds
Austin MSA
Austin Resource Recovery
Percent of community-wide greenhouse gas emissions
that come from methane produced by discarded organics
in landfill
4%
2016
Travis County
City of Austin Office of Sustainability
Number of households with curbside composting
90,000
2018
City of Austin
Austin Resource Recovery