- REGULAR MEETING OF THE AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026, AT 5:00 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1406 6310 WILHELMINO 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, contact Amanda Rohlich, (512) 974-1364, Amanda.Rohlich@austintexas.gov. CURRENT AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD MEMBERS: Lisa Barden, Chair Andrea Abel Marissa Bell, Vice- Chair Beth Corbett Nitza Cuevas Kacey Hanson Seanna Marceaux Melody McClary Erin McDonald Natalie Poulos AGENDA CALL TO ORDER Board Member roll call and introduction of new and existing board members. 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 Special Called Meeting on Monday, April 13, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding Austin-Travis County Food Plan Implementation. Presentation by Edwin Marty, Food Policy Manager, Austin Climate Action & Resilience and Yaira Robinson, Assistant Director of Environmental Programs, Travis County. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Presentation and discussion on how food access is experienced across Travis County, Central Texas Food Bank- Emily Foxman, setting the stage with the Travis County Food Access Community Needs Assessment Results Presentation and discussion on how food access is experienced across Travis County, Sustainable Food Center- Hannah Thornton & Amy Gallo Presentation and discussion on how food access is experienced across Travis County, ATX Free Fridge- Nitza Cuevas Presentation and discussion on how food access is experienced across Travis County, Central Texas Food Bank- Beth Corbett Presentation and discussion on how food access is experienced across Travis County, Meals on Wheels Central Texas- Seanna Marceaux Presentation and discussion on how food access is experienced across Travis County, Intergenerational Gardening Soul to Soul- Marva Overton & Genice H Presentation and discussion regarding the working group to expand access to nutritious foods through improvement to existing …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026, AT 5:00 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1406 6310 WILHELMINO 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, contact Amanda Rohlich, (512) 974-1364, Amanda.Rohlich@austintexas.gov. CURRENT AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD MEMBERS: Lisa Barden, Chair Andrea Abel Marissa Bell, Vice- Chair Beth Corbett Nitza Cuevas Kacey Hanson DISCUSSION ITEMS Seanna Marceaux Melody McClary Erin McDonald Natalie Poulos AGENDA ADDENDUM 15. Presentation and discussion regarding the working group to expand access to nutritious foods through improvement to existing materials and resources and explore alternate or expanded hours for existing resources. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Amanda Rohlich and & Action Amanda.Rohlich@austintexas.gov, to request service or for additional information. Austin Climate Resilience, 974-1364 (512) at at For more information on the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board, please contact Amanda Rohlich and & Austin Climate Amanda.Rohlich@austintexas.gov. Resilience, 974-1364 Action (512) at at
CTFB | Travis County Food Access CNA Travis County: Food Insecurity at a Glance • 18.0% of Travis County – over 235,000 residents – experience food insecurity o 61,300 are children o 33,100 are older adults • Disproportionately high food insecurity along the I-35 corridor, in the Eastern Crescent, and in rural corners of the county • Key CTFB initiatives in Travis County: • Supports over 260 charitable food programs • Home delivery, benefit assistance, Food Is Medicine, workforce development • Advocacy & food system planning Data Source: CTFB’s 2025 Food Access Convening Tool. CTFB | Travis County Food Access CNA Key Findings: Community Response Desire to enhance choice and dignity Strong preference for nutritious, culturally-relevant, & local options – yet often too expensive or far away Navigating tensions, coordination is key Rising needs, capacity constraints, and limited awareness of community resources Data Source: CNA neighbor survey Emphasis on tailored approaches: No “one-size-fits-all” model CTFB | Travis County Food Access CNA Strengthening both the “What” and the “How” Meeting neighbors where they are: Physically In places that are convenient, private, familiar, and trusted Culturally & Linguistically • Culturally-relevant foods • Multi-lingual materials & services • Clear, plain language & visuals Technologically No-tech, low-tech, and tech-savvy options In Time • Non-traditional hours • Consistent presence • Timely support Co-creation & co-ownership Peer-to-peer advocates & Socially • • community networks • • Building relationships and trust Centering dignity and choice CTFB | Travis County Food Access CNA From Research to Action Travis County Food Access CNA: For – and by – the community • Resource to help inform community-driven action • CTFB an ongoing partner to help dive into the report, identify how data can support coordination and evidence- based solutions, partnerships Examples from CTFB • Medically Tailored Meals • Expansion of: • Mobile FARMacy • School & college pantry programs • Home delivery • Culturally relevant foods grown at on-site farm • Regional Food System Council
CTFB | Child Nutrition CTFB Children’s Meal Programs • Afterschool Meals (CACFP) • 35 sites • Feeding Futures School Pantries • 15 sites (2 pending) • Summer Meals (SFSP) • 69 sites in 2026 • GOAL: 250,000 meals (+40%) • Nutrition Education • College Food Access • 18 sites CTFB | SFSP Summer Food Service Program in Travis County • School Districts and CBOs eligible to operate • Geographic restrictions • CTFB’s role = fill the gaps + supplement ISDs • Rural (non-congregate) vs. Urban (congregate) • Weekly frozen delivery vs. daily hot meals • 2026 Travis County Meal Sites • 41 Total locations • • • • • • Austin Parks & Rec El Buen Samaritano The Safe Alliance Foundation Communities African American Youth Harvest (Manor) Community Care • 2 Non-congregate - Del Valle, Creedmoor Call to Action for ATCFPB NOW: Help spread the word about SFSP sites! FUTURE: Help identify/expand locations for congregate meals!
Aligned with Austin-Travis County Food Plan Strategies 6.3, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.10, and 6.11 The food system works— until you can’t get to it. For our neighbors, food access happens at the front door, —or not at all. We operate where food, health, and aging systems don’t yet connect.
Keep Austin Fed’s Food Rescue How Does it Work? 1 https://www.keepaustinfed.org Be the Change How it happens This is just 1 of 4 pages of our weekly schedule. Our slowest day is Sundays with 19 scheduled food rescues. Our busiest day is Mondays with 36 scheduled food rescues. 2 https://www.keepaustinfed.org Be the Change Where it comes from and where it goes 3 https://www.keepaustinfed.org Be the Change
Austin-Travis County Food Plan ATCFPB May 2026 – Staff Update City of Austin Food Plan Updates City Staff Updates ● City staff sent City Council a Food Plan Update Memo on May 5th 2026 ● City staff have completed the annual update of the Food Plan Dashboard ● Travis County Commissioners Court proclamation celebrating the Milan Pact Award took place on April 28th. City Council member Fuentes also provided a City Proclamation. ● Funding from the MUFPP Award will be released via a RFA in fall 2026 Food Plan Implementation Convening ● The Implementation Collaborative is being led by WNT ● Public launch for the Collaborative is scheduled for June 2026 ○ Action: ■ Sign up with WNT to get on the listserve ■ Register for the June 5th meeting ■ Consider how the Collaboratives priorities could relate to the Food Policy Board’s Working Groups City of Austin 2026 Bond - Next Steps ● City Council released a Supplemental Bond Proposal ● May 4, 2026: BEATF finalized recommendations to the Mayor and City Council ○ Final recommendations (the $750M recommendation per the resolution & a $400M alternative scenario requested by a sub quorum of Council). ● May 8, 2026: City staff provided recommendations, integrating feasibility and funding considerations ● May 19, 2026: City Council work session to discuss proposed bond package ● August 6, 2026: City Council Meeting – consideration of an ordinance to call for a bond election and set ballot language ● November 3, 2026: Bond election Travis County Food Plan Updates Implementation Updates 1. Raising Travis County contract with Urban Roots approved 5/5/2026. a. $858,000 for farm-based out of school time programming for 2nd-12th grade children & youth Summers, weekends, school holidays, & school breaks 2026-2027 “Foster connection to land, food, and community” b. c. 2. Coyote Creek Conservation Easement - 1st working farm protected in perpetuity under conservation easement with Travis County for the primary purpose of food production a. b. Fully organic Includes habitat for native plant and animal communities, agricultural open space, water quality & quantity + scenic attributes Thank You! www.austintexas.gov/food /austinsustainability
Austin-Travis County Food Plan ATCFPB May 2026 – Staff Update City of Austin Food Plan Updates City Staff Updates ● City staff sent City Council a Food Plan Update Memo on May 5th 2026 ● City staff have completed the annual update of the Food Plan Dashboard ● Travis County Commissioners Court proclamation celebrating the Milan Pact Award took place on April 28th. City Council member Fuentes also provided a City Proclamation. ● Funding from the MUFPP Award will be released via a RFA in fall 2026 Food Plan Implementation Convening ● The Implementation Collaborative is being led by WNT ● Public launch for the Collaborative is scheduled for June 2026 ○ Action: ■ Sign up with WNT to get on the listserve ■ Register for the June 5th meeting ■ Consider how the Collaboratives priorities could relate to the Food Policy Board’s Working Groups City of Austin 2026 Bond - Next Steps ● City Council released a Supplemental Bond Proposal ● May 4, 2026: BEATF finalized recommendations to the Mayor and City Council ○ Final recommendations (the $750M recommendation per the resolution & a $400M alternative scenario requested by a sub quorum of Council). ● City staff preparing to provide recommendations, integrating feasibility and funding considerations ● May 19, 2026: City Council work session to discuss proposed bond package ● August 6, 2026: City Council Meeting – consideration of an ordinance to call for a bond election and set ballot language ● November 3, 2026: Bond election Travis County Food Plan Updates Implementation Updates 1. Raising Travis County contract with Urban Roots approved 5/5/2026. a. $858,000 for farm-based out of school time programming for 2nd-12th grade children & youth Summers, weekends, school holidays, & school breaks 2026-2027 “Foster connection to land, food, and community” b. c. 2. Coyote Creek Conservation Easement - 1st working farm protected in perpetuity under conservation easement with Travis County for the primary purpose of food production a. b. Fully organic Includes habitat for native plant and animal communities, agricultural open space, water quality & quantity + scenic attributes Thank You! www.austintexas.gov/food /austinsustainability
Sustainable Food Center Austin Travis County Food Policy Council Food Access Working Group H a n n a h T h o r n t o n , M S , R D S e n i o r D i r e c t o r o f F o o d A c c e s s a n d E d u c a t i o n May 2026
Rooted in mutual aid, not charity, ourmodel is simple: give what you can,take what you need. Everyonedeserves access to fresh food, noquestions asked. All of the ATX Free Friges are located outdoors, 100% free & open to the community 24/7 no sign up or permissions required “Whenever I sign up to stock & clean the Brentwood fridge, I see the immediateimpact of what I’m contributing to my neighborhood. Neighbors come up to askabout the collective and/or happily accept what food and toiletries I haveavailable. Those who are just passing by take a second to pick up and throw away apiece of garbage in a receptacle, kiddos ask out loud if they can bring somethingfor the pantry next time. Everyone says “thank you”. It’s a moment out of my weekwhere I’m connecting with my neighbors, and it’s incredible feeling.”"I live and work central — I like to cook and for my joboften end up w/ catering extras. I love being able toshare directly w/ folks who might be hungry and helpeliminate food waste.""I wouldn't be able to feed my family a lot oftimes without it. Very thankful. I have 8 kids +grandkids. It's very hard even with a job""This project has helped us feed our large family + we are sograteful for a way to share food with the community. Wehave food allergies + intolerances so food pantries will givefood we cannot eat or cook."
Alliance for African American Health in Central Texas Addressing the Food System through Intergenerational Gardening About Intergenerational Gardening Soul to Soul (IGS2S) What IGS2S is: A program that brings together youth, adults, and senior adults to establish and maintain vegetable gardens at the homes of older adults (aka seniors). Why IGS2S started: Recognition that there were older adults in the Black community who wanted vegetables gardens but did not have the physical capacity to do all the work themselves. How IGS2S works: Bridges the generations to grow food, share knowledge, and enhance community connections. Main components include: • Gardening Teams • Gardening Skill Lessons • Food Sovereignty Workshops • Financial Literacy Workshops IGS2S and the Food Plan We see ourselves in the Food Plan because AAAHCT: • Provides access to culturally relevant foods (seniors grow what • they want to eat) Increases food access and community connections through home gardens and sharing of produce • Reduces transportation and access barriers for foods grown at home • Serves seniors primarily in eastern Travis County, an area identified as having higher rates of food insecurity • Focuses on populations known to be vulnerable to food insecurity (i.e., Blacks, older adults, and children) • Teaches the concept of food sovereignty and the importance of having agency over foods you consume • Covers the cycle of growing produce, from planting to preparation Challenges and Opportunities Challenges: •No full -time program manager •Maintaining gardens for seniors once they graduate from the program •Youth recruitment •Transportation for youth •Consistent tracking of quantity of food grown •Funding Opportunities: •Scale program •Develop volunteer component to help seniors maintain their gardens after finishing the program •Create pathways for participants, especially youth, to engage in food system advocacy •Incorporate more cooking lessons into the IGS2S program •Continue to leverage the intersection between IGS2S and A Better Me to educate and engage more people in food system issues
