REGULAR MEETING of the AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2025, 6:00 PM CITY OF AUSTIN PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1406 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Austin Travis County Food Policy Board may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Amanda Rohlich, 512-974-1364, Amanda.Rohlich@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Andrea Abel Lisa Barden, Vice-Chair Marissa Bell Mark Bethell Joi Chevalier, Chair Beth Corbett Larry Franklin Hilda Gutierrez Kacey Hanson Natalie Poulos Matt Simon Andrew Smith AGENDA CALL TO ORDER Board member roll call. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Regular Meeting from Monday, January 13, 2025. 1. 2. STAFF BRIEFING Briefing on Austin-Travis County Food Plan Implementation, Edwin Marty, Food Policy Manager at City of Austin and Yaira Robinson, Assistant Director of Environmental Programs at Travis County DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Discuss and take possible action on the recommendation to support Goal 1, Strategy 1.12 of the Austin Travis County Food Plan: Fully fund City and County park plans that include strategies to support community agriculture (such as the Vision Plan at John Trevino Jr. Metropolitan Park) and include support for staff to implement community agriculture programs in these locations and distribute food grown to surrounding communities. Board Member Andrea Abel and Board Member Lisa Barden. Discuss and take possible action on the recommendation to support Goal 1 of the Austin Travis County Food Plan: Expand community food production, preserve agricultural lands, and increase the amount of farmland dedicated to regenerative food production long-term in Austin/Travis County, Board Member Marissa Bell (land acquisition) and Board Member Matt Simon (regenerative agriculture). Discuss and take possible action on the recommendation to support Goal 4 of the Austin Travis County Food Plan: Establish and fund a resilient, inclusive, and accessible …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: (YYYYMMDD-XXX) (XXX is the agenda item number): Support for community agriculture on City parkland WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan was approved by City Council on October 10, 2024; and WHEREAS, Goal 1 of the Food Plan is to expand community food production, preserve agricultural lands, and increase the amount of farmland dedicated to regenerative food production long-term in Austin/Travis County which includes Strategy 1.12 to “fully fund City and County park plans that include strategies to support community agriculture (such as the Vision Plan at John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park) and include support for staff to implement community agriculture programs in these locations and distribute food grown to surrounding communities”; and WHEREAS, the John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park Vision Plan was adopted by the Austin City Council on October 15, 2020 with one of the defined values to adapt the heritage of the site by carrying the site’s productive agricultural heritage into the present and future by exploring possibilities for food production and agricultural education, and includes “The Farm” in the design of the park to to connect local food production and education with opportunities for multi-generational participation; and WHEREAS, Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) has funding and is in the design process for Phase I of the Treviño Vision Plan which includes basic park infrastructure to be able to open the park to the public, and Phase II of the Treviño Vision Plan could include community agriculture at the park; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s 2024 Environmental Investment Plan recommends $10 million in funding for Phase II of the Treviño Vision Plan; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin already has a Community Gardens Program (started in 2009 when the Austin City Council passed the Urban Farm Ordinance) to establish a single point of contact and streamline the process for establishing community gardens on city land; and WHEREAS community survey responses for Our Parks, Our Future, the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department’s Long Range Plan names the following strategies: 4.4 “Increase the number of dedicated park staff for the community garden program”, 4.4.1. “Consider creating a ‘community gardener’ position” 4.5.2. “Proactively identify potential sites for new community gardens and food forests.”; and WHEREAS, the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board’s Recommendation Number 20240318-7 urged the City of Austin to allocate funds and create a full-time equivalent …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: (YYYYMMDD-XXX) (XXX is the agenda item number): Support for Access to Farmland for New Farmers WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan was approved by City Council on October 10, 2024; and WHEREAS, Goal 2 of the Food Plan is to “(i)ncrease access to and stewardship of land for regenerative food production by increasing the number of Austin/Travis County farms that are owned by economically disadvantaged farmers and rancher” and includes Strategy 2.3 to “(c)reate a local farm incubator program to support farmers who practice regenerative food production through the first 3-5 years of business with a focus on reducing barriers for underrepresented farm owner and workers, including offering beginning farmer training and financing support”; and WHEREAS, access to land is the number one barrier to farming for new farmers according to a 2022 survey of new farmers conducted by the National Young Farmers Coalition; and WHEREAS, 16.8 acres of viable farmland are lost every day in Travis County (City of Austin, Office of Sustainability, State of the Food System Report, 2022); and WHEREAS, the average age of a farmer in Texas in 2022 is 60 years old, compared to 59 years old in 2017; and WHEREAS, farmers and farmland are the foundation of a resilient and sustainable food system, a key element for emergency preparedness; and WHEREAS, the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board’s Recommendation Number 20240318-7 urged the City of Austin to allocate funds and create a full-time equivalent (FTE) position to support the implementation of the Food Plan; and WHEREAS, Goal 2 of the Austin Climate Equity Plan is to by 2030, protect 500,000 acres of farmland from development in the five-county region through legal protections or regenerative agriculture programs by 2030; and WHEREAS, three Central Texas farm incubator programs launched in 2025. The Central Texas Farm Incubator Collaborative (Farmshare Austin, Green Gate Farms, and Hope Full Farm) offers land and mentorship for advanced beginning farmers with access to up to 0.5 acres of land and will serve at least 15 farmers in the first three years. Austin Community College Elgin Farm Incubator Program (FIP) provides beginning farmers enrolled in ACC access to .15 and .25 acres plots. The Refugee Collective is piloting a Farm Business Incubator and has one acre available. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Austin Travis County Food Policy Board encourages the Austin City …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: (YYYYMMDD-XXX) (XXX is the agenda item number): Support for Agricultural Land Acquisition and Preservation in Austin, Texas WHEREAS, the 2022 City of Austin State of the Food System Report indicates that less than 0.6% of the food consumed in Travis County is produced locally, and that approximately 16.8 acres of farmland are lost daily to development pressures, underscoring the critical need for dedicated agricultural land preservation efforts; and WHEREAS, land in Austin-Travis County is continuing to increase in value and decrease in quantity, it is imperative to act quickly as the cost of action will only increase over time; and WHEREAS, agricultural lands are vital to local food security, environmental sustainability, emergency preparedness, and climate resilience; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan, approved by the Austin City Council in October 2024, includes strategic, measurable, and time-bound goals and strategies to strengthen food security, promote environmental sustainability, and address climate change; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan’s Goal 1 prioritizes expanding community food production, preserving agricultural lands, and increasing the amount of farmland dedicated to regenerative food production long-term in Austin and Travis County; and WHEREAS, Strategy 1.1 of the Food Plan calls for the preservation of land for food production in Central Texas through conservation easements, fee-simple purchases, and land-banking, ensuring that farmland remains dedicated to agricultural use; and WHEREAS, Strategy 1.2 directs the City of Austin and Travis County to pursue capital funding sources to finance the conservation of land for agricultural use through conservation easements or direct purchases; and WHEREAS, preserving agricultural land also supports the goals of the Austin Climate Equity Plan by promoting sustainable land use, strengthening local food systems, and reducing carbon footprints through localized food production; and WHEREAS, Natural Systems Goal 2 of the Austin Climate Equity Plan aims to protect 500,000 acres of farmland across the five-county region through legal conservation or regenerative agriculture programs by 2030; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin currently lacks a dedicated mechanism to effectively manage and prioritize the preservation of agricultural lands; and WHEREAS, the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board’s Recommendation Number 20240318-7 urged the City of Austin to allocate funds and create a full-time equivalent (FTE) position to support the implementation of the Food Plan; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board encourages the Austin City Council to allocate …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: (YYYYMMDD-XXX) (XXX is the agenda item number): Support for Farmland Acquisition and Preservation in Travis County WHEREAS, the 2022 City of Austin State of the Food System Report indicates that less than 0.6% of the food consumed in Travis County is produced locally, and that approximately 16.8 acres of farmland are lost daily to development pressures, underscoring the critical need for dedicated agricultural land preservation efforts; and WHEREAS, land in Austin-Travis County is continuing to increase in value and decrease in quantity, it is imperative to act quickly as the cost of action will only increase over time; and WHEREAS, agricultural lands are vital to local food security, environmental sustainability, emergency preparedness, and climate resilience; and WHEREAS, the Travis County Commissioners Court passed a Resolution of Support for the Austin-Travis County Food Plan on October 29, 2024, whose goals and strategies prioritize addressing local food security and environmental sustainability; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan’s Goal 1 prioritizes expanding community food production, preserving agricultural lands, and increasing the amount of farmland dedicated to regenerative food production long-term in Austin and Travis County; and WHEREAS, Strategy 1.1 of the Food Plan calls for the preservation of land for food production in Central Texas through conservation easements, fee-simple purchases, and land-banking, ensuring that farmland remains dedicated to agricultural use; and WHEREAS, Strategy 1.2 directs the City of Austin and Travis County to pursue capital funding sources to finance the conservation of land for agricultural use through conservation easements or direct purchases; and WHEREAS, Travis County has successfully managed agricultural leases on 845 acres of agricultural land through the Parks Land Stewardship Program; and WHEREAS, Travis County currently operates a Conservation Easement Program allowing landowners to preserve agricultural, natural, or cultural resources while retaining ownership of their property. This program, funded by voter-approved bond funds and supplemented by donations, has successfully preserved significant tracts of land and helps protect vital resources such as watersheds, wildlife habitats, and agricultural lands; and WHEREAS, the Conservation Easement Program has been a key tool for Travis County in its efforts to protect land from development, with more than $24.9 million approved by voters between 2011 and 2017 for the purchase of easements. The program prioritizes properties in conservation corridors and those with significant environmental or agricultural value, aligning with the broader goals of the Austin/Travis County Food …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: (YYYYMMDD-XXX) (XXX is the agenda item number): Support for Access to Farmland for New Farmers WHEREAS, the Travis County Commissioners Court passed a Resolution of Support for the Austin-Travis County Food Plan on October 29, 2024, whose goals and strategies prioritize addressing local food security and environmental sustainability; and WHEREAS, Goal 2 of the Food Plan is to “(i)ncrease access to and stewardship of land for regenerative food production by increasing the number of Austin/Travis County farms that are owned by economically disadvantaged farmers and rancher” and includes Strategy 2.3 to “(c)reate a local farm incubator program to support farmers who practice regenerative food production through the first 3-5 years of business with a focus on reducing barriers for underrepresented farm owner and workers, including offering beginning farmer training and financing support”; and WHEREAS, access to land is the number one barrier to farming for new farmers according to a 2022 survey of new farmers conducted by the National Young Farmers Coalition; and WHEREAS, 16.8 acres of viable farmland are lost every day in Travis County (City of Austin, Office of Sustainability, State of the Food System Report, 2022); and WHEREAS, the average age of a farmer in Texas in 2022 is 60 years old, compared to 59 years old in 2017; and WHEREAS, farmers and farmland are the foundation of a resilient and sustainable food system, a key element for emergency preparedness; and WHEREAS, the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board’s Recommendation Number: 20240318-8 urged the Travis County to allocate funds and create a full-time equivalent (FTE) position to support the implementation of the Food Plan; and WHEREAS, Goal 2 of the Austin Climate Equity Plan is to by 2030, protect 500,000 acres of farmland from development in the five-county region through legal protections or regenerative agriculture programs by 2030; and WHEREAS, three Central Texas farm incubator programs launched in 2025. The Central Texas Farm Incubator Collaborative (Farmshare Austin, Green Gate Farms, and Hope Full Farm) offers land and mentorship for advanced beginning farmers with access to up to 0.5 acres of land and will serve at least 15 farmers in the first three years. Austin Community College Elgin Farm Incubator Program (FIP) provides beginning farmers enrolled in ACC access to .15 and .25 acres plots. The Refugee Collective is piloting a Farm Business Incubator and has one acre available. …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: (YYYYMMDD-XXX) (XXX is the agenda item number): Defining and Supporting Regenerative Agriculture NOTE: The “WHEREAS”s should give the background and the “NOW, THEREFORE,” should state what the board is requesting Council to do. WHEREAS, the 2022 City of Austin State of the Food System Report indicates that 21% of all greenhouse gas emissions in our community are related to the food supply chain; and WHEREAS, implementing Regenerative Agriculture supports the goals of the Austin Climate Equity Plan, which aims to ensure that by 2030, 100% of Austinites, especially those who are food insecure, can access a pro-climate, pro-health food systems that prioritize regenerative agriculture; and WHEREAS, the goals and strategies in the Austin/Travis County Food Plan, approved by the Austin City Council in October 2024, prioritize regenerative agriculture implementation, with reference to regenerative agriculture and food systems occurring 44 times throughout the document; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan states that a specific definition of Regenerative food production may need to be adopted to implement strategies under Goal 1, which pertain to agricultural land use (1.1,1.2) and community food systems support (1.6,1.12); and WHEREAS, a more specific definition is contained within the Resilient Farm Planning framework, which utilizes Conservation Practice Standards codified by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and quantifies the resulting greenhouse gas benefits; and WHEREAS, the Resilient Farm Planning process has seen wide adoption and proof of concept in California for over a decade, with 137 Resilient Farm Plans (called Carbon Farm Plans in California) encompassing 71,440 acres; and WHEREAS, the Resilient Farm Planning process can be also be applied to outdoor spaces such as parks, flood plain, and greenbelts; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin Office of Sustainability has previously allocated funds for Texas’ First Resilient Farm plan at the Refugee Collective Farm, establishing a precedent of city support for plan implementation; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin currently lacks a dedicated mechanism to assist with the writing and implementation of Resilient Farm Plans; and WHEREAS, the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board’s Recommendation Number 20240318-7 urged the City of Austin to allocate funds and create a full-time equivalent (FTE) position to support the implementation of the Food Plan; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board encourages the Austin City Council to adopt the Resilient Farm Planning Framework and its subsequent …
TEMPLATE FOR BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: (YYYYMMDD-XXX) (XXX is the agenda item number): Defining and Supporting Regenerative Agriculture NOTE: The “WHEREAS”s should give the background and the “NOW, THEREFORE,” should state what the board is requesting Council to do. WHEREAS, the 2020 Travis County Climate Action Plan prioritizes a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 2005 levels by 2030; and WHEREAS, the goals and strategies in the Austin/Travis County Food Plan, passed through a Resolution of Support by the Travis County Commissioner’s Court in October 2024, prioritize regenerative agriculture implementation, with reference to regenerative agriculture and food systems occurring 44 times throughout the document; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan states that a specific definition of Regenerative food production may need to be adopted to implement strategies under Goal 1, which pertain to agricultural land use (1.1,1.2) and community food systems support (1.6,1.12); and WHEREAS, a more specific definition is contained within the Resilient Farm Planning framework, which utilizes Conservation Practice Standards codified by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and quantifies the resulting greenhouse gas benefits; and WHEREAS, the Resilient Farm Planning process has seen wide adoption and proof of concept in California for over a decade, with 137 Resilient Farm Plans (called Carbon Farm Plans in California) encompassing 71,440 acres; and WHEREAS, Travis County has previously allocated funds for cheaper and longer leases on county owned agricultural lands if producers adopt regenerative practices, establishing a precedent of county support for Regenerative Agriculture; and WHEREAS, the Resilient Farm Planning process can be also be applied to outdoor spaces such as parks, flood plain, and greenbelts, as well as on residential lots; and WHEREAS, the Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources Office has been tasked with creating a Community Climate Action Plan; and WHEREAS, the Travis County Agricultural Extension Office provides educational services to the public on how to steward their residential environments; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board encourages Travis County to adopt the Resilient Farm Planning Framework and its subsequent NRCS Conservation Practice Standards as the specific definition of Regenerative Agriculture in the County, and to codify this definition in the upcoming Travis County Community Climate Action Plan; and BE IT RESOLVED that the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board encourages Travis County to train Agricultural Extension Agents in the writing …
TEMPLATE FOR BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION (Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board) Recommendation Number: (YYYYMMDD-XXX) (XXX is the agenda item number): Preparing Culturally and Medically Appropriate Supply Side Nutrition, Provision and Distribution Access During Disasters, Disruptions, and Emergencies WHEREAS, food insecurity already disproportionately affects vulnerable populations in Austin/Travis County, creating significant barriers to nutritious food access for individuals and households with limited resources and most acutely during emergencies, significant weather events, or disasters; and WHEREAS, the Austin Travis County Food Plan, adopted by City Council in October 2024, includes the goal of establishing and funding a resilient, inclusive, and accessible emergency food provision system that ensure all community members, regardless of cultural background or medical needs, have access to safe, nutritious, and culturally relevant food during disasters and emergencies (Goal 4); and WHEREAS, it is essential to develop and fund a coordinated emergency food access response plan that ensures that City and County community centers and resilience networks have access to water, culturally and medically appropriate food, proper storage, and inventory management practices (Strategy 4.3); and WHEREAS, having preparedness teams and partners be able to meet dietary needs during emergencies, including culturally relevant and medically appropriate food preparation, and for emergency staff and volunteers to have training in such (Strategy 4.4); and WHEREAS, it will be necessary, as part of the preparedness ecosystem, to work with community partners to have a real-time inventory management system to track emergency food availability, expiration dates, and replenishment needs to ensure a steady supply during emergencies while minimizing food waste (Strategy 4.5) and WHEREAS, it is essential and critical to create a diverse and reliable food supply by establishing partnerships with a wide range of local suppliers and develop contingency plans for food supply chain disruptions, including alternative sourcing strategies (Strategy 4.6); and Commented [1]: See above comment for "Whereas." Need to add "Resolved" pertaining to 6.1 Food Retail and 6.6 school meal and summer food service programs. WHEREAS, there is a significant need to create mechanism that improves emergency response and preparedness for major power outages that impact the food supply at all stages of the food system (Strategy 4.7). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board recommends the following actions: 1. Establish Pre-Existing, Prepared Trusted Community Partners o Build upon Mass Care’s ecosystem survey, identify key partners to establish preexisting procurement relationships through Austin Finance Online o Prioritize …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION (Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board) Recommendation Goal 6.1, 6.5, 6.6: • Actively establish culturally relevant, affordable, community-backed or -driven retail options in areas experiencing food insecurity or facing barriers to food access, including replication and expansion of existing food retail initiatives in the City and County • Expand benefits and access to nutritious foods through programs that amplify and supplement the purchasing power of individuals and households facing food and nutrition insecurity and explore the feasibility of creating a locally funded nutrition incentive program with less restrictive eligibility criteria than SNAP/WIC Increase utilization of publicly administered programs that improve food access, such as SNAP, WIC, the national school breakfast/lunch program, and summer food service program. • WHEREAS, food insecurity disproportionately affects vulnerable populations in Austin/Travis County, creating significant barriers to nutritious food access for individuals and households with limited resources; WHEREAS, where value multiplying programs are an effective model of extending purchasing power for nutritious foods, allowing SNAP recipients to double their spending on fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets; WHEREAS, the need for culturally relevant nutrition education and cooking skills training, can empower community members to make healthy, affordable food choices; WHEREAS, current food assistance programs often have restrictive eligibility criteria that exclude many community members experiencing economic hardship; WHEREAS, technological barriers and limited digital literacy can further complicate access to food assistance resources and online food shopping options; WHEREAS, language and disability barriers continue to create additional challenges for individuals seeking food assistance and nutrition support; WHEREAS, existing successful local programs like Double Up Food Bucks and The Happy Kitchen provide valuable frameworks for expanding food access and nutrition education; new programs can and need to be created; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board recommends the following actions: 1. Expand and Enhance Nutrition Incentive Programs: o Build upon the successful value purchasing models to create a locally funded nutrition incentive program o Develop more flexible eligibility criteria that complement existing federal/state/local assistance programs o Provide additional purchasing power for nutritious foods, particularly fresh produce and local agricultural products o Create mechanisms to support both farmers and food-insecure households 2. Strengthen Nutrition Education and Skill-Building: o Expand programs that provide culturally relevant food and cooking/nutrition education Multilingual cooking classes Nutrition education workshops Skill-building for affordable, healthy meal preparation o Develop technology-integrated education modules to support online food …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION (Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board) Recommendation Number: (YYYYMMDD-XXX) (XXX is the agenda item number): Support for the Development of Local Food Hubs and Strengthening Regional Food Systems WHEREAS, the 2022 City of Austin State of the Food System Report states that less than 0.6% of the food consumed in Travis County is produced locally, and that approximately 16.8 acres of farmland are lost daily to development pressures, underscoring the critical need to support regional food systems; and WHEREAS, schools in the Austin-Travis County region spend millions of dollars annually on food, most of which is sourced from large-scale distributors that typically obtain their products from farms outside of Texas. Even when Texas-produced food is available, it is often sourced from regions outside of Central Texas, resulting in long supply chains, a larger carbon footprint, and a missed opportunity for local farmers in the Central Texas region; and WHEREAS, The Austin-Travis County Food Plan, approved by the Austin City Council in October 2024, calls for the development and support of central aggregation, processing, and distribution facilities (food hubs) to supply regional institutional purchasers with local agricultural goods, ensuring the stability and resilience of the food system in Austin/Travis County (Goal 5, Strategy 5.1); and WHEREAS, the Austin Climate Equity Plan calls for supporting institutions and developing supply-chain infrastructure and regional food networks to facilitate large-scale pro-climate, pro-health food procurement, supporting regenerative agricultural producers and increasing access to sustainable, healthy food options (Goal 1, Strategy 1, Food and Product Consumption); and WHEREAS, In 2019, the Sustainable Food Center (SFC) conducted a Central Texas food hub feasibility study and concluded that the most effective path forward at the time was to leverage existing intermediaries rather than invest in a new brick-and-mortar facility. The study recommended immediate actions, including: ● Matchmaking between producers and institutional buyers to build relationships and strengthen ● Establishing micro-aggregation nodes to create distribution models that could evolve into a local supply chains. larger hub-and-spoke system; and WHEREAS, Since 2019, SFC has facilitated supplier-buyer matchmaking, and a food hub pilot program has been launched in partnership between the Central Texas Food Bank and Central Texas school districts including Lake Travis ISD, Manor ISD, and Florence ISD. However, significant barriers persist in scaling institutional procurement of local food; and WHEREAS, The landscape of local food procurement has changed significantly since 2019. Key developments include: ● Loss of Key Supply …
Austin-Travis County Food Plan ATCFPB February 2024 – Staff Update City of Austin Food Plan Updates Report back to Council in Spring 2025 ● City staff will provide a Memo to Council in spring 2025 ○ Updates on Strategy progress including defined leadership roles and responsibilities for implementation of the various strategies within the Plan ○ Funding needs in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget for investment in and implementation of the Plan and to identify strategy priorities to be included as part of the next bond package ○ Updates on a Food Plan Dashboard ○ Updates on an Implementation Coalition Dashboard Preview Implementation Coalition ● City and County staff are exploring a funding opportunity to support a Food Plan implementation coalition (Strategy 9.1) ● Staff are scoping and negotiating specifics and hope to have an Interlocal Agreement complete in spring 2025 ● RFP for support of an implementation coalition will be released in mid-2025 ● City staff are seeking ATCFPB input on the RFP. Travis County Food Plan Updates Exploring Departmental Alignment ● Travis County Staff Food Plan Team Updates ○ Briefed County Executives on outreach plan: 1/24/2025 ○ Next step: consulting with departmental staff leaders to explore Food Plan goal & strategy alignment with departmental goals ○ Goal: share top-aligned goals & strategies with Commissioners Court members, Spring 2025 ● Travis County Comprehensive Parks Plan Community Engagement ○ Please participate! https://outdoorengage.mysocialpinpoint.com/travis ○ Open now through February 13, 2025 Thank You! Travis County Environmental Quality: Sustainability Programs www.austintexas.gov/food /austinsustainability
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: (20250210-003): Support for community agriculture on City parkland WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan was approved by City Council on October 10, 2024; and WHEREAS, Goal 1 of the Food Plan is to expand community food production, preserve agricultural lands, and increase the amount of farmland dedicated to regenerative food production long-term in Austin/Travis County which includes Strategy 1.12 to “fully fund City and County park plans that include strategies to support community agriculture (such as the Vision Plan at John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park) and include support for staff to implement community agriculture programs in these locations and distribute food grown to surrounding communities”; and WHEREAS, “community agriculture” may be defined as agricultural activities that have a larger community impact, including, but not limited to a) individuals, organizations or groups growing food for distribution through food pantries, faith communities or resource centers, b) community gardens and food forests, or c) agricultural education. WHEREAS, the John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park Vision Plan was adopted by the Austin City Council on October 15, 2020 with one of the defined values to adapt the heritage of the site by carrying the site’s productive agricultural heritage into the present and future by exploring possibilities for food production and agricultural education, and includes “The Farm” in the design of the park to to connect local food production and education with opportunities for multi-generational participation; and WHEREAS, Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) has funding and is in the design process for Phase I of the Treviño Vision Plan which includes basic park infrastructure to be able to open the park to the public, and Phase II of the Treviño Vision Plan could include community agriculture at the park; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s 2024 Environmental Investment Plan recommends $10 million in funding for Phase II of the Treviño Vision Plan; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin already has a Community Gardens Program (started in 2009 when the Austin City Council passed the Urban Farm Ordinance) to establish a single point of contact and streamline the process for establishing community gardens on city land; and WHEREAS community survey responses for Our Parks, Our Future, the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department’s Long Range Plan names the following strategies: 4.4 “Increase the number of dedicated park staff for the community garden program”, 4.4.1. “Consider …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: 20250210-006: Support for the Development of Local Food Hubs and Strengthening Regional Food Systems WHEREAS, the 2022 City of Austin State of the Food System Report states that less than 0.6% of the food consumed in Travis County is produced locally, and that approximately 16.8 acres of farmland are lost daily to development pressures, underscoring the critical need to support regional food systems; and WHEREAS, schools in the Austin-Travis County region spend millions of dollars annually on food, most of which is sourced from large-scale distributors that typically obtain their products from farms outside of Texas. Even when Texas-produced food is available, it is often sourced from regions outside of Central Texas, resulting in long supply chains, a larger carbon footprint, and a missed opportunity for local farmers in the Central Texas region; and WHEREAS, The Austin-Travis County Food Plan, approved by the Austin City Council in October 2024, calls for the development and support of central aggregation, processing, and distribution facilities (food hubs) to supply regional institutional purchasers with local agricultural goods, ensuring the stability and resilience of the food system in Austin/Travis County (Goal 5, Strategy 5.1); and WHEREAS, the Austin Climate Equity Plan calls for supporting institutions and developing supply-chain infrastructure and regional food networks to facilitate large-scale pro-climate, pro-health food procurement, supporting regenerative agricultural producers and increasing access to sustainable, healthy food options (Goal 1, Strategy 1, Food and Product Consumption); and WHEREAS, In 2019, the Sustainable Food Center (SFC) conducted a Central Texas food hub feasibility study and concluded that the most effective path forward at the time was to leverage existing intermediaries rather than invest in a new brick-and-mortar facility. The study recommended immediate actions, including: ● Matchmaking between producers and institutional buyers to build relationships and ● Establishing micro-aggregation nodes to create distribution models that could evolve into a strengthen local supply chains. larger hub-and-spoke system; and WHEREAS, Since 2019, SFC has facilitated supplier-buyer matchmaking, and a food hub pilot program has been launched in partnership between the Central Texas Food Bank and Central Texas school districts including Lake Travis ISD, Manor ISD, and Florence ISD. However, significant barriers persist in scaling institutional procurement of local food; and WHEREAS, The landscape of local food procurement has changed significantly since 2019. Key developments include: ● Loss of Key Supply Infrastructure: The largest local farm in …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: 20250210-04C: Support for Agricultural Land Acquisition and Preservation in Austin, Texas WHEREAS, the 2022 City of Austin State of the Food System Report indicates that less than 0.6% of the food consumed in Travis County is produced locally, and that approximately 16.8 acres of farmland are lost daily to development pressures, underscoring the critical need for dedicated agricultural land preservation efforts; and WHEREAS, land in Austin-Travis County is continuing to increase in value and decrease in quantity, it is imperative to act quickly as the cost of action will only increase over time; and WHEREAS, agricultural lands are vital to local food security, environmental sustainability, emergency preparedness, and climate resilience; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan, approved by the Austin City Council in October 2024, includes strategic, measurable, and time-bound goals and strategies to strengthen food security, promote environmental sustainability, and address climate change; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan’s Goal 1 prioritizes expanding community food production, preserving agricultural lands, and increasing the amount of farmland dedicated to regenerative food production long-term in Austin and Travis County; and WHEREAS, Strategy 1.1 of the Food Plan calls for the preservation of land for food production in Central Texas through conservation easements, fee-simple purchases, and land-banking, ensuring that farmland remains dedicated to agricultural use; and WHEREAS, Strategy 1.2 directs the City of Austin and Travis County to pursue capital funding sources to finance the conservation of land for agricultural use through conservation easements or direct purchases; and WHEREAS, preserving agricultural land also supports the goals of the Austin Climate Equity Plan by promoting sustainable land use, strengthening local food systems, and reducing carbon footprints through localized food production; and WHEREAS, Natural Systems Goal 2 of the Austin Climate Equity Plan aims to protect 500,000 acres of farmland across the five-county region through legal conservation or regenerative agriculture programs by 2030; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin currently lacks a dedicated mechanism to effectively manage and prioritize the preservation of agricultural lands; and WHEREAS, the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board’s Recommendation Number 20240318-7 urged the City of Austin to allocate funds and create a full-time equivalent (FTE) position to support the implementation of the Food Plan; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board encourages the Austin City Council to allocate funds and explore all available means …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: 20250210-04D: Support for Farmland Acquisition and Preservation in Travis County WHEREAS, the 2022 City of Austin State of the Food System Report indicates that less than 0.6% of the food consumed in Travis County is produced locally, and that approximately 16.8 acres of farmland are lost daily to development pressures, underscoring the critical need for dedicated agricultural land preservation efforts; and WHEREAS, land in Austin-Travis County is continuing to increase in value and decrease in quantity, it is imperative to act quickly as the cost of action will only increase over time; and WHEREAS, agricultural lands are vital to local food security, environmental sustainability, emergency preparedness, and climate resilience; and WHEREAS, the Travis County Commissioners Court passed a Resolution of Support for the Austin-Travis County Food Plan on October 29, 2024, whose goals and strategies prioritize addressing local food security and environmental sustainability; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan’s Goal 1 prioritizes expanding community food production, preserving agricultural lands, and increasing the amount of farmland dedicated to regenerative food production long-term in Austin and Travis County; and WHEREAS, Strategy 1.1 of the Food Plan calls for the preservation of land for food production in Central Texas through conservation easements, fee-simple purchases, and land-banking, ensuring that farmland remains dedicated to agricultural use; and WHEREAS, Strategy 1.2 directs the City of Austin and Travis County to pursue capital funding sources to finance the conservation of land for agricultural use through conservation easements or direct purchases; and WHEREAS, Travis County has successfully managed agricultural leases on 845 acres of agricultural land through the Parks Land Stewardship Program; and WHEREAS, Travis County currently operates a Conservation Easement Program allowing landowners to preserve agricultural, natural, or cultural resources while retaining ownership of their property. This program, funded by voter-approved bond funds and supplemented by donations, has successfully preserved significant tracts of land and helps protect vital resources such as watersheds, wildlife habitats, and agricultural lands; and WHEREAS, the Conservation Easement Program has been a key tool for Travis County in its efforts to protect land from development, with more than $24.9 million approved by voters between 2011 and 2017 for the purchase of easements. The program prioritizes properties in conservation corridors and those with significant environmental or agricultural value, aligning with the broader goals of the Austin/Travis County Food Plan to protect farmland for regenerative …
REGULAR MEETING of the AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2025, 6:00 PM CITY OF AUSTIN PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1406 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Austin Travis County Food Policy Board may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Amanda Rohlich, 512-974-1364, Amanda.Rohlich@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Andrea Abel Lisa Barden, Vice-Chair Marissa Bell Mark Bethell Joi Chevalier, Chair Beth Corbett Larry Franklin Hilda Gutierrez Kacey Hanson Natalie Poulos Matt Simon Andrew Smith AGENDA CALL TO ORDER Board member roll call. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Regular Meeting from Monday, December 12, 2024. 1. 2. STAFF BRIEFING Briefing on Austin-Travis County Food Plan Implementation, Edwin Marty, Food Policy Manager at City of Austin and Yaira Robinson, Assistant Director of Environmental Programs at Travis County DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Presentation from Drew De Los Santos, Executive Director at Austin Cooperative Business Association on the Del Valle Food Co-op. Discuss the draft recommendation to support Goal 1, Strategy 1.12 of the Austin Travis County Food Plan: Fully fund City and County park plans that include strategies to support community agriculture (such as the Vision Plan at John Trevino Jr. Metropolitan Park) and include support for staff to implement community agriculture programs in these locations and distribute food grown to surrounding communities. Board Member Andrea Abel and Board Member Lisa Barden. Discuss draft recommendation(s) to support Goal 1 of the Austin Travis County Food Plan: Expand community food production, preserve agricultural lands, and increase the amount of farmland dedicated to regenerative food production long-term in Austin/Travis County, Board Member Marissa Bell (land acquisition) and Board Member Matt Simon (regenerative agriculture). Discuss draft recommendation(s) to support Goal 4 of the Austin Travis County Food Plan: Establish and …
This template is a guide for liaisons. TEMPLATE FOR BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: (YYYYMMDD-XXX) (XXX is the agenda item number): Farmland Acquisition and Preservation NOTE: The “WHEREAS”s should give the background and the “NOW, THEREFORE,” should state what the board is requesting Council to do. WHEREAS, the 2022 City of Austin State of the Food System Report indicates that less than 0.6% of the food consumed in Travis County is produced locally, and that approximately 16.8 acres of farmland are lost daily to development pressures, underscoring the critical need for dedicated agricultural land preservation efforts; and WHEREAS, land in the Capital Region is continuing to increase in value and decrease in quantity, it is imperative to act quickly as the cost of action will only increase over time; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan, approved by the Austin City Council in October 2024, includes strategic, measurable, and time-bound goals and strategies to strengthen food security, promote environmental sustainability, and address climate change; and WHEREAS, agricultural lands are vital to local food security, environmental sustainability, emergency preparedness, and climate resilience; and WHEREAS, the goals and strategies in the Austin/Travis County Food Plan prioritize expanding community food production and preserving farmland for regenerative agriculture through strategies such as conservation easements, land purchases, and land banking; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan also recommends pursuing funding sources, including general obligation bonds, to conserve agricultural land; and WHEREAS, the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board’s Recommendation Number 20240318-7 urged the City of Austin to allocate funds and create a full-time equivalent (FTE) position to support the implementation of the Food Plan; and WHEREAS, preserving agricultural land also supports the goals of the Austin Climate Equity Plan by promoting sustainable land use, strengthening local food systems, and reducing carbon footprints through localized food production; and This template is a guide for liaisons. WHEREAS, the Austin Climate Equity Plan aims to protect 500,000 acres of farmland across the five-county region through legal conservation or regenerative agriculture programs by 2030; and WHEREAS, WHEREAS, the City of Austin currently lacks a dedicated mechanism to effectively manage and prioritize the preservation of agricultural lands; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board encourages the Austin City Council to allocate funds and explore all available means in order to establish a dedicated management mechanism, such as a dedicated …
This template is a guide for liaisons. TEMPLATE FOR BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: (YYYYMMDD-XXX) (XXX is the agenda item number): Farmland Acquisition and Preservation NOTE: The “WHEREAS”s should give the background and the “NOW, THEREFORE,” should state what the board is requesting Council to do. WHEREAS, the 2022 City of Austin State of the Food System Report indicates that less than 0.6% of the food consumed in Travis County is produced locally, and that approximately 16.8 acres of farmland are lost daily to development pressures, underscoring the critical need for dedicated agricultural land preservation efforts; and WHEREAS, land in the Capital Region is continuing to increase in value and decrease in quantity, it is imperative to act quickly as the cost of action will only increase over time; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan, approved by the Travis County Commissioner’s Court in October 2024, includes strategies to address local food security and environmental sustainability; and WHEREAS, agricultural lands are vital to local food security, environmental sustainability, emergency preparedness, and climate resilience; and WHEREAS, the goals and strategies in the Austin/Travis County Food Plan prioritize expanding community food production and preserving farmland for regenerative agriculture through strategies such as conservation easements, land purchases, and land-banking; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan also recommends pursuing funding sources, including general obligation bonds, to conserve agricultural land; and WHEREAS, the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board’s Recommendation Number 20240318-8 urged Travis County to allocate funds and create a full-time equivalent (FTE) position to support the implementation of the Food Plan; and WHEREAS, Travis County has a history of successfully managing agricultural leases through the Land stewardship program; and This template is a guide for liaisons. WHEREAS, Travis County currently operates a Conservation Easement Program that allows landowners to preserve agricultural, natural, or cultural resources while retaining ownership of their property. This program, funded by voter-approved bond funds and supplemented by donations, has successfully preserved significant tracts of land and helps protect vital resources such as watersheds, wildlife habitats, and agricultural lands; and WHEREAS, the Conservation Easement Program has been a key tool for Travis County in its efforts to protect land from development, with more than $24.9 million approved by voters in 2011 and 2017 for the purchase of easements. The program prioritizes properties in conservation corridors and those with significant environmental or agricultural value, aligning …
TEMPLATE FOR BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION (Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board) Recommendation Number: (YYYYMMDD-XXX) (XXX is the agenda item number): Preparing Culturally and Medically Appropriate Supply Side Nutrition, Provision and Distribution Access During Disasters, Disruptions, and Emergencies WHEREAS, food insecurity already disproportionately affects vulnerable populations in Austin/Travis County, creating significant barriers to nutritious food access for individuals and households with limited resources and most acutely during emergencies, significant weather events, or disasters; and WHEREAS, the Austin Travis County Food Plan, adopted by City Council in October 2024, includes the goal of establishing and funding a resilient, inclusive, and accessible emergency food provision system that ensure all community members, regardless of cultural background or medical needs, have access to safe, nutritious, and culturally relevant food during disasters and emergencies (Goal 4); and WHEREAS, it is essential to develop and fund a coordinated emergency food access response plan that ensures that City and County community centers and resilience networks have access to water, culturally and medically appropriate food, proper storage, and inventory management practices (Strategy 4.3); and WHEREAS, having preparedness teams and partners be able to meet dietary needs during emergencies, including culturally relevant and medically appropriate food preparation, and for emergency staff and volunteers to have training in such (Strategy 4.4); and WHEREAS, it will be necessary, as part of the preparedness ecosystem, to work with community partners to have a real-time inventory management system to track emergency food availability, expiration dates, and replenishment needs to ensure a steady supply during emergencies while minimizing food waste (Strategy 4.5) and WHEREAS, it is essential and critical to create a diverse and reliable food supply by establishing partnerships with a wide range of local suppliers and develop contingency plans for food supply chain disruptions, including alternative sourcing strategies (Strategy 4.6); and Commented [1]: See above comment for "Whereas." Need to add "Resolved" pertaining to 6.1 Food Retail and 6.6 school meal and summer food service programs. WHEREAS, there is a significant need to create mechanism that improves emergency response and preparedness for major power outages that impact the food supply at all stages of the food system (Strategy 4.7). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board recommends the following actions: 1. Establish Pre-Existing, Prepared Trusted Community Partners o Build upon Mass Care’s ecosystem survey, identify key partners to establish preexisting procurement relationships through Austin Finance Online o Prioritize …
