Item 4. Farmshare Presentation - June 2026 — original pdf

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www.farmshareaustin.org Our Mission Located on 13-acre certified organic, mixed produce farm in Eastern Travis County, Farmshare Austin’s mission is to grow a healthy, just and equitable local food system by increasing community food access and cultivating new farmers. www.farmshareaustin.org Education: Pathway to Farming Farmshare Austin provides beginning farmers a training pathway to a career in farming. Farmer Starter is a five-month, entry-level, immersive, cohort-based farmer training program designed to provide aspiring farmers with the essential skills and training needed to manage a sustainable farming business. Cultivator offers Farmer Starter graduates the chance to start their own micro-farm for up to one year. We supply the land, tools, equipment and mentorship and purchase their harvest for our Food Access programs or help them to connect with other buyers. The Central Texas Farm Incubator Collaborative in collaboration with Urban Roots and Hope Full Farm provides beginning farmers in the start-up phase of their businesses with 3-years of access to land, infrastructure, mentorship, business training and marketing outlets to bridge barriers to starting and sustaining a farm. www.farmshareaustin.org Food Access: Mobile Markets & Home Delivery Launched in 2016 as a partnership with Austin Public Health, Fresh for Less provides year-round access to farmers’ market quality, reduced-price produce and nutrient-dense grocery items in 25 zip codes (440 sq miles) in the Eastern Crescent of Austin and Travis County. 5 Mobile Markets Twice Weekly Home Delivery ● ● ● Produce & Pantry RX with Lone Star Circle of Care Food is the Best Medicine postpartum food access ● with Ascension Seton Medical Center ● Casa Marianella ● Northeast District Demonstration Project www.farmshareaustin.org Check out weekly produce and grocery availability! ● ● ● 20+ seasonal veggies, fruit, and herbs, plus year-round staples, such as onions, potatoes and chiles Focus on sourcing from local farms, including Farmshare 20+ grocery items, mostly organic, with enough variety to make complete meals Local eggs and honey ● ● Cash, card, SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks (partnership with Sustainable Food Center) ● Whether shopping at a Mobile Market or for Home Delivery, customers select the quantity and variety that meets their individual needs and preferences www.farmshareaustin.org Mobile Market Locations/Hosts Central Health Del Valle Health & Wellness Center Foundation Communities Sierra Vista Apartments (South Austin) Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center Tues 4pm-6pm Weds 4pm-6pm Thurs 10am-12pm Thurs 12:30-2:30pm People’s Community Clinic 3rd Fri of the Month 3pm-5pm Central Health Hornsby Bend Health & Wellness Center www.farmshareaustin.org Home Delivery Focus on people experiencing mobility challenges. Customers self-identify. ● ● Home Deliveries Wednesdays and Fridays with online or phone ordering Friday-Monday. ● Monday-Friday bilingual Customer Service Line (512) 553-6620 ● Home Delivery serves 25 zip codes (440 square miles) www.farmshareaustin.org ● Partnership with Lone Star Circle of Care Collinfield Clinic & Dell Medical ● School 6-12 month food as medicine intervention for 50 youth with chronic disease indicators and their families ● Benefit is indexed to family size to include the entire household ● Participants must be within the Fresh for Less 25 zip codes and can use the benefit for Home Delivery or at any Mobile Market www.farmshareaustin.org Partnership with Ascension Seton, UT Health & Central Texas Food Bank 8 week postpartum intervention for food insecure birthing parents ● ● ● Receive Fresh for Less produce & groceries + CTFB prepared meals & meal kits www.farmshareaustin.org Drop Off Demonstration Projects Casa Marianella ● Partnership with Casa Marianella began in June 2025 ● Casa Marianella promotes self-sufficiency by providing shelter and support services for displaced immigrants seeking emergency shelter ● Weekly delivery of produce and eggs for 40+ residents of their Gunter Street location which is their main source of produce each week Northeast District ● Partnership with City of Austin Planning Department, Austin Public Health, drop-off hosts including Barbara Jordan Elementary, LBJ Early College High School, Turner Roberts Rec Center & Manor Excel Academy 48 weekly recipients of Fresh for Less box containing produce and groceries with rotating drop-off locations ● www.farmshareaustin.org IMPACT FY25 (August 2024 - July 2025) ● Over 9,500 customers representing approximately 25,000 family members ● 16% of customers shopping with SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB), down from previous years ● Distributed 65,606 pounds of produce, mostly local, plus groceries ● Nearly $200k in sales (retail value of approximately $300k) ● Based on “Fresh for Less Mobile Markets & Home Delivery 2025 Annual Evaluation,” the annual survey of 100 Mobile Market and Home Delivery customers conducted by UTHealth: ○ 65% of respondents were categorized as food insecure —an increase from 46% in 2024 ○ 60% of customers had gross household income at or below $35,000 ○ 56% identify as Hispanic and 36% speak mostly or only Spanish ○ 95% responded household increase in fresh produce consumed due to Fresh for Less ○ 85% to 98% of customers report being very satisfied or satisfied with the variety, quality and prices of produce and groceries offered www.farmshareaustin.org For more information Farmshare Food Access Director Alicia Fischweicher alicia@farmshareaustin.org Farmshare Executive Director Andrea Abel andrea@farmshareaustin.org https://www.farmshareaustin.org/foodaccess www.farmshareaustin.org