The Dirt

Sustainable Food Center (SFC) and AISD Food Services present “Local Chefs, Local Fresh” with Chef Jack Gilmore of Jack Allen’s Kitchen at Pickle Elemenary School on January 17, 6:15pm. Along with First Lady, Michelle Obama, “Let’s Move!” campaign and the “Chefs Move to Schools” program, Austin Independent School District Food Services is partnering with Sustainable Food Center to introduce our own initiative with a decidedly local flavor-–“Local Chefs, Local Fresh.”

The purpose of this project is to involve our community of talented local chefs in the efforts of AISD Food Services and accomplish the goal of educating the students and our broader school community about the importance of eating healthy. Sustainable Food Center and AISD Food Services Executive Chef, Steven Burke invite you to be a part of this meaningful movement.    

We began this initiative in November 2011 at Jordan Elementary School with a CATCH night recipe demo by Chef Nadine Thomas of Trace, followed by a December demo by Chef Alma Alcocer-Thomas of El Alma Café y Cantina at Webb Middle School.

Chefs Nadine Thomas of Trace and Steven Burke of AISD Food Services

Sustainable Food Center is proud to announce that staff member Andrew Smiley has been named the agency's Deputy Director. Andrew has nearly 20 years experience working in sustainable agriculture and food systems, including on-farm production, agricultural marketing, micro-enterprise development, food journalism, farmer training and technical assistance, and even food-service management. Andrew received his B.A. in political science from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He is the former Executive Director of Baton Rouge Economic and Agricultural Development Alliance, Inc. (BREADA). Andrew is an active supporter of sustainable food systems throughout Texas and the U.S. both professionally and as a volunteer with the several organizations. He has applied his passion for gardening, sustainable food systems, small-scale farming, and healthy cooking to his work with Sustainable Food Center in Austin, Texas since 2005.

"I am confident in Andrew's programmatic guidance and look forward to our strategic partnership as SFC continues to grow and flourish. He is a true leader in the good food movement - I'm thrilled to have him serve in this new role with our agency," stated Ronda Rutledge, Executive Director. Andrew worked with SFC as Farm Direct Projects Director through 2011, which included management of public policy, farm marketing, and food systems education initiatives, including Sprouting Healthy Kids - SFC's farm-to-school project. Andrew is currently the Deputy Director of SFC, providing guidance, oversight and support for the organization's programming and policy advocacy work.