REGULAR MEETING of the AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD MONDAY, MARCH 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. Larry Franklin Hilda Gutierrez Kacey Hanson Natalie Poulos Matt Simon Andrew Smith CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Andrea Abel Lisa Barden, Vice-Chair Marissa Bell Mark Bethell Joi Chevalier, Chair Beth Corbett Nitza Cuevas 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 1. Approve the minutes of the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Regular Meeting from Monday, February 10, 2025. STAFF BRIEFING 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 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 Discuss structure of working groups to align with Board’s overall goals and advocacy efforts. 4. Discuss City of Austin budget engagement process. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discuss and take possible action on appointing a representative and alternate from the Austin Travis County Food Policy Board to serve as a liaison to the Joint Sustainability Committee liaison. 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, Marissa Bell (land acquisition) and Board Member Matt Simon (regenerative agriculture). Discuss and take possible action on the recommendation to support Goal 3 of the Austin Travis County Food Plan: Improve farm worker and food worker livelihoods by ensuring training opportunities, and a safety net, defining career pathways, expanding strengthening opportunities for advancement for workers across the local …
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, there is a lack of coordination among City departments acquiring land for various purposes, such as water quality, flood control, and green space development, undermining the potential to support the City’s food and climate resilience goals, including agricultural production and carbon sequestration; 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): 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, written and implemented with technical assistance from National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and Carbon Cycle Institute (CCI). This establishes a precedent of city support for collaborative 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 City of Austin Food and Climate Equity (FACE) Grant is a current funding mechanism available to farmers that supports a more just and resilient Austin by providing direct funding for community-led solutions that enable transformative change in the …
Austin and Travis County Food Policy Board BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Recommendation Number: : Recommended Support for Food Plan Goal 3 Implementation WHEREAS, the Austin City Council passed RESOLUTION NO. 20210610-039, which directed the City Manager to initiate a planning process for an Austin Food Plan in June 2021 to support a more resilient, equitable food system for the City of Austin; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan was developed through comprehensive and collaborative community workgroups across five identified issue areas, including 1.) Food Access and Consumption, 2.) Food Markets and Retail, 3.) Food Production, 4.) Post- Consumption and Food Waste, and 5.) Food Processing and Distribution, as well as input from a Community Advisory Committee, Community Food Ambassadors, planning teams across both City and County offices, and broad public engagement; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan outlines strategic, measurable, ambitious, realistic, time-bound, inclusive, and equitable objectives, goals, and strategies to be accomplished within the next five years to create a more just, accessible, and culturally diverse food system for Austin and Travis County that supports and sustains thriving communities, healthy ecosystems, and solutions to climate change where all individuals can reach their full potential; and WHEREAS, Goal 3 of the Austin/Travis County Food Plan, "Livelihoods," seeks to improve farm worker and food worker livelihoods by ensuring a safety net, defining career pathways, expanding training opportunities, and strengthening opportunities for advancement across the local food system; and WHEREAS, over 65,000 people are employed in the food sector across Travis County, many of whom earn some of the lowest wages in our local economy, making the implementation of Goal 3 essential to supporting economic stability, worker well-being, and a thriving regional food economy; and WHEREAS, successful implementation of Goal 3 requires specific actions, including: Defining criteria for a livable wage in the food service industry using nationally recognized frameworks, paired with business engagement and data analysis to create a regionally appropriate standard; Conducting regular, culturally appropriate worker surveys and focus groups to assess needs, work environments, and career opportunities to inform responsive policy and program development; Establishing a commission or working group under the Austin/Travis County Food Policy Board to address food and farm worker rights, including benefits, unfair labor practices, and workplace safety; Researching and recommending incentives such as tax rebates and wage supplements to support food system employers who provide livable wages and fair labor practices; Expanding workforce training …
TEMPLATE FOR BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION (Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board) Food Plan Goal: • 6.5: 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 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 that 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 City of Austin expand and enhance Nutrition Incentive Programs, building upon the successful value purchasing models to create a locally funded nutrition incentive program with more flexible eligibility criteria that complement existing federal/state/local assistance programs. These efforts could provide additional purchasing power for nutritious foods, particularly fresh produce and local agricultural products and create mechanisms to support both farmers and food-insecure households. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board encourages Austin City Council to provide funding for Nutrition Education and Skill-Building initiatives to increase utilization and health among vulnerable populations. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board recommends the City Council reduce Barriers to Food Assistance through accessible digital and in-person application processes, where application materials and support services are provided in multiple languages and create accessible accommodates for individuals with disabilities. in all food assistance program communications BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that these recommendations align with the city's commitment to the food plan, equity, health, and community support, recognizing that …
Austin-Travis County Food Plan ATCFPB March 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 - Now LIVE Implementation Coalition ● City and County staff are developing an Interlocal Agreement 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 Travis County Food Plan Updates Exploring Departmental Alignment ● Travis County Staff Food Plan Team Updates ○ Current step: outreach to 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 Thank You! Travis County Environmental Quality: Sustainability Programs www.austintexas.gov/food /austinsustainability
Addressing Unmet Needs for Goal 3 Strategies in the Austin-Travis County Food Plan Good Work Austin (GWA) is committed to advancing the strategies outlined under Goal 3 of the Austin-Travis County Food Plan: Improving farm worker and food worker livelihoods by ensuring a safety net, defining career pathways, expanding training opportunities, and strengthening opportunities for advancement across the local food system. This proposal outlines the unmet needs required to address these strategies and the resources needed to achieve meaningful progress in FY 2025-2026. Strategy 3.1: Define the criteria for a livable wage in the food service industry to enhance the participation of restaurants and other food businesses in incentive programs using frameworks such as One Fair Wage, MIT Living Wage Calculator, or United Way's ALICE. Unmet Needs: 1. Staffing: $13,000 to fund GWA staff to utilize their evaluation expertise and data management tools to develop and adapt a livable wage framework specific to the local food system, leveraging models like One Fair Wage, Chicago’s One Fair Wage ordinance, and the MIT Living Wage Calculator. Impact: These efforts will directly benefit the over 65,000 food workers in Travis County by making it easier for businesses to begin the path to increasing wages and ensuring fair compensation practices. Phase 1 (2025-2026): 1. Research and Framework Development (30 hours): Study and adapt existing models like One Fair Wage, Chicago’s One Fair Wage ordinance, and the MIT Living Wage Calculator to the local food system. 2. Business Engagement, Data Collection and Analysis (70 hours): Engage with 50 local food businesses (with an emphasis on small businesses), and city and community partners, through meetings, interviews, and workshops to gather feedback. Gather and analyze regional data on cost of living and wages to inform the framework. 3. Documentation and Reporting (30 hours): Compile findings, feedback, and the finalized framework into a report for stakeholders. Total Estimated Hours: 130 hours. Phase 2: Implement adoption through targeted campaigns and resources for businesses to adopt living wage criteria. Provide consultation (a part of strategy 3.6) to support businesses to adopt liveable wage models and education for consumers. Strategy 3.2: Conduct a regular survey to assess needs, work environment, and career outlook to inform programs and policies affecting food and farm workers. Unmet Needs: 1. Staffing: $23,000 to fund GWA staff to utilize their evaluation expertise and data management tools to research and develop, implement, and report findings of a …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number 20250310-07: Improve Conditions for Food System Workers WHEREAS, the Austin City Council passed RESOLUTION NO. 20210610-039, which directed the City Manager to initiate a planning process for an Austin Food Plan in June 2021 to support a more resilient, equitable food system for the City of Austin; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan was developed through comprehensive and collaborative community workgroups across five identified issue areas, including 1.) Food Access and Consumption, 2.) Food Markets and Retail, 3.) Food Production, 4.) Post-Consumption and Food Waste, and 5.) Food Processing and Distribution, as well as input from a Community Advisory Committee, Community Food Ambassadors, planning teams across both City and County offices, and broad public engagement; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan, approved by the Austin City Council in October 2024, outlines strategic, measurable, ambitious, realistic, time-bound, inclusive, and equitable objectives, goals, and strategies to be accomplished within the next five years to create a more just, accessible, and culturally diverse food system for Austin and Travis County that supports and sustains thriving communities, healthy ecosystems, and solutions to climate change where all individuals can reach their full potential; and WHEREAS, Goal 3 of the Austin/Travis County Food Plan, "Livelihoods," seeks to improve farm worker and food worker livelihoods by ensuring a safety net, defining career pathways, expanding training opportunities, and strengthening opportunities for advancement across the local food system; and WHEREAS, over 65,000 people (7.5% of residents) are employed in the food sector across Travis County, many of whom earn some of the lowest wages in our local economy1, making the implementation of Goal 3 essential to supporting economic stability, worker well-being, and a thriving regional food economy; and WHEREAS, successful implementation of Goal 3 requires specific actions based on the strategies listed in the food plan, including: 1 City of Austin (2022), State of the Food System Report. ● 3.1 Defining criteria for a livable wage in the food service industry using nationally recognized frameworks, paired with business engagement and data analysis to create a regionally appropriate standard; ● 3.2 Conducting regular, culturally appropriate worker surveys and focus groups to assess needs, work environments, and career opportunities to inform responsive policy and program development; ● 3.3 Establishing a commission or working group under the Austin/Travis County Food Policy Board to address food and farm worker rights, including benefits, …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number 20250310-07: Improve Conditions for Food System Workers WHEREAS, Travis County Commissioners Court passed a Resolution in support of the Austin Travis County Food Plan on October 29th 2024; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan was developed through comprehensive and collaborative community workgroups across five identified issue areas, including 1.) Food Access and Consumption, 2.) Food Markets and Retail, 3.) Food Production, 4.) Post-Consumption and Food Waste, and 5.) Food Processing and Distribution, as well as input from a Community Advisory Committee, Community Food Ambassadors, planning teams across both City and County offices, and broad public engagement; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan outlines strategic, measurable, ambitious, realistic, time- bound, inclusive, and equitable objectives, goals, and strategies to be accomplished within the next five years to create a more just, accessible, and culturally diverse food system for Austin and Travis County that supports and sustains thriving communities, healthy ecosystems, and solutions to climate change where all individuals can reach their full potential; and WHEREAS, Goal 3 of the Austin/Travis County Food Plan, "Livelihoods," seeks to improve farm worker and food worker livelihoods by ensuring a safety net, defining career pathways, expanding training opportunities, and strengthening opportunities for advancement across the local food system; and WHEREAS, over 65,000 people (7.5% of residents) are employed in the food sector across Travis County, many of whom earn some of the lowest wages in our local economy1, making the implementation of Goal 3 essential to supporting economic stability, worker well-being, and a thriving regional food economy; and WHEREAS, successful implementation of Goal 3 requires specific actions based on the strategies listed in the food plan, including: 1 City of Austin (2022), State of the Food System Report. ● 3.1 Defining criteria for a livable wage in the food service industry using nationally recognized frameworks, paired with business engagement and data analysis to create a regionally appropriate standard; ● 3.2 Conducting regular, culturally appropriate worker surveys and focus groups to assess needs, work environments, and career opportunities to inform responsive policy and program development; ● 3.3 Establishing a commission or working group under the Austin/Travis County Food Policy Board to address food and farm worker rights, including benefits, unfair labor practices, and workplace safety; ● 3.4 Researching and recommending incentives such as tax rebates and wage supplements to support food system employers who provide livable …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number 20250310-09: Expand Benefits and Access to Nutritious Food WHEREAS, the 2022 City of Austin State of the Food System Report Strategy 6.5 calls for expanded 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. 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 and WIC recipients to double their spending on fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets and retail locations; 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, there are existing successful local programs that provide valuable frameworks for expanding food access and nutrition education so new programs can and need to be created; WHEREAS, these recommendations align with the city's commitment to the food plan, health, and community support. Further recognizing that according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes access to nutritious food as a fundamental human right; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board recommends the City of Austin expand and enhance nutrition incentive programs, building upon successful value purchasing models to create a locally funded nutrition incentive program with more flexible eligibility criteria that complement existing federal/state/local assistance programs. These efforts could provide additional purchasing power for nutritious foods, particularly fresh produce and local agricultural products and create mechanisms to support both farmers and food-insecure households. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board encourages Austin City Council to provide funding for nutrition education and skill-building initiatives to increase utilization and health among vulnerable populations. BE IT FURTHER …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Recommendation Number: 20250310-06A: 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, there is a lack of coordination among City departments acquiring land for various purposes, such as water quality, flood control, and green space development, undermining the potential to support the City’s food and climate resilience goals, including agricultural production and carbon sequestration; 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: 20250310_6B: Defining and Supporting Regenerative Agriculture 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, written and implemented with technical assistance from National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and Carbon Cycle Institute (CCI). This establishes a precedent of city support for collaborative 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 City of Austin Food and Climate Equity (FACE) Grant is a current funding mechanism available to farmers that supports a more just and resilient Austin by providing direct funding for community-led solutions that enable transformative change in the areas of food, climate, and resilience; and WHEREAS, the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board’s Recommendation Number 20240318-7 urged the City of Austin to allocate funds and create …
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 …
