What We Do:
Founded in 1993 with roots dating back over 30 years as Austin Community Gardens, SFC is involved in every step of our local Food System from seed to table. We teach sustainable food gardening practices to children and adults; organize markets for locally-grown produce in urban areas accessible to low-income residents; donate produce to area food pantries, and train individuals and institutions to prepare healthy and affordable meals.

Mission Statement:
Create a Food Secure community by improving access to local, healthy, and affordable food for children and adults in Central Texas.

Vision:
Create a healthy community where healthy adults and children are able to grow, share and prepare their own food while minimizing our impact on our natural resources.

History:

1975		Austin Community Gardens (AGC) is founded as a project of the YWCA.
1987		Austin Community Gardens becomes an independent non-profit organization.
1993		Sustainable Food Center is founded.
1994		National Center for Appropriate Technology grants SFC the award for Significant Achievement in the Field of Sustainable Agriculture.
1995		The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre program is named East Austin's "Best Social Service Program" by the Austin Chronicle. SFC also won this award in 1996 and 1997. SFC initiates a study entitled Access Denied. The study shows that low-income residents do not have East Austin access to fresh, healthy food.
1997		National Awards for Environmental Sustainability Council presents SFC a Certificate of Environmental Achievement. SFC was presented this award again in 1998.
1998		Diabetes Council and the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department grant SFC the Community Nutrition Promotion Award for excellence in diabetes prevention.
2001		Receive the United East Austin Coalition's "Raza Award" for Outstanding Health and Human Services and "reminding us to eat our vegetables". SFC merges with Austin Community Gardens - Since AGC and SFC worked together frequently and had compatible missions, they merged to strengthen programs, integrate talents and consolidate administrations.
2003		Launch of Austin Farmers' Market in Republic Square Park. Receive "Organization Impact Award" for Opening New Doors by the Downtown Austin Alliance. The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre™ is trademarked and begins training partner organizations to deliver classes.
2004		Opening of Austin Farmers' Market "pocket" market at Plaza Saltillo as pilot project. Austin Farmers' Market receives the "Urban Light Award" from Downtown Austin Neighborhood Alliance.
2005		Launch of a Farm to Cafeteria pilot project delivering fresh, locally-grown produce to cafeterias in the network of Seton hospitals. Launch of mid-week, evening Austin Farmers' Market at Plaza Saltillo
2006		SFC begins a Farm to School food systems education project, Sprouting Healthy Kids, designed to bring fresh produce from local farmers into Austin-area low-income middle schools and teach children about new foods and healthy eating behaviors through gardening projects and nutrition education programs.  The successful Farm to Cafeteria project expands to the University of Texas and St. Stephens School. The mid-week Austin Farmers' Market opens on Wednesday mornings at Whole Foods Market downtown.  In May 2006 the Wednesday market moved to Triangle Park at 4600 Guadalupe, where it operates year-round, rain or shine.