Yes, Austin has developed quite the reputation as a “foodie” city, but what we eat is about more than just the best avocado toast recipes. That’s why we write stories about the impact of our local food system on the environment, culture, and equity.
There’s a tradition in Austin that connects green minded women, creates a space for discussion of environmental issues, and highlights the work of EcoLeaders in our community. Chicas Verdes has been meeting the first Tuesday of the month for over a decade. Attendees report connections that have led to jobs and internships, built new friendships, and created a space to share and learn with a broad community of women.
The fall classes for Citizen Gardener are now posted on the website!
The first set of fall classes begin on August 22!
Citizen Gardener is a program designed to engage Austin citizens in growing food locally. Interested individuals sign up for 10 hours taught by a seasoned and master gardener who provides a basis of information about organic gardening in central Texas. The participants then give back to the community with 10 hours of volunteering in other Austin citizen’s gardens.
On Saturday, July 25 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Round Rock will host a Green Expo at the Dell Diamond.
Admission is only $5 for adults while kids twelve and under are free. One section has been dedicated to kids activities so you and your child can have fun while learning more about going green.
My family’s summer just got better. This week TerraBurger opened its second location in northwest Austin at 10611 Research Blvd, right by Costco. Now we have a healthy option for a quick meal at a family-friendly restaurant – what a treat!
When we saw TerraBurger’s sign go up several months ago, we were curious but frankly more than a little skeptical. Lots of businesses have jumped on the green bandwagon for marketing and little else. We wondered how green Terra Burger’s operations would really be. We checked them out online and were impressed with what we saw.
Beloved Community:
On June 25, 2009, over 40 Austin Environmental groups hosted an Eco-Change Exchange community forum to welcome our new Mayor and City Council members. During the opening reception participants enjoyed delicious, local, organic food provided by Barr Mansion as they milled among the closely packed table displays by environmental groups. Later council chambers buzzed with conversation about how to make Austin a leader among sustainable cities. The evening ended with a reading of a “Letter from the Future” written by the mayor of Austin in 2109. The letter thanked the visionary and dedicated participants of the Eco-Change Exchange for setting in motion changes that led to a beautiful, sustainable reality for people in 2109.
Okra has one of the prettiest blooms in vegetable land. When you think of okra, this probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. This hearty vegetable from the hibiscus family has a lot more up its sleeve, too, and is making its first appearance in the Greenling Local Box and Greenling’s website this week.
In 2008, Brandi & I conspired to make her Citizen Foodie talk a core element of the Green 4th of July celebration we shared at The Austin Farmers Market (www.austinfarmersmarket.org/).
EMAIL FROM THE FUTURE
Note: Just this morning we received this email dated June 25, 2109 signed by the Mayor of Austin. Austin is the premier sustainable American city! This email from the future is in appreciation for all the work you do for the people of today and tomorrow.
Dear Citizens of 2009,
Today we held a celebration in your honor. We call you our Sustainers, our elders, who began the revolution of thought and actions that make our life here in 2109 possible. We thank you for having the vision that brought sustainability, peace and justice to our world.
40+ Environmental Groups Invite City Leaders & Public for an
ECO-CHANGE EXCHANGE
Thursday, June 25, 2009
5:30-9pm at City Hall
Submitted by Jess Guffey
Time:
08/24/2009 (All day) – 12/17/2009 (All day)
Location:
Sustainable Food Center
1106 Clayton Lane
Austin, TX, 78723
Sustainable Food Center Placement Opportunity: Practicum/Internship (unpaid)
Fall 2009 and/or Spring 2010
Position:
Farm to School and Food-Systems Education – Sprouting Healthy Kids project Food Systems Educator
Project Description:
Care2.com & LocalHarvest.org are sponsoring this contest — simple click the url below to vote!
http://www.care2.com/farmersmarket
Agriculture uses 3 times as much potable water as all other forms of human consumption, COMBINED. A full 80% of the water we use in the US is for agriculture. Organic agriculture uses 30%-50% less water than conventional ag. Agriculture also consumes more oil than any other activity except for driving. 400 gallons of oil per year per citizen is consumed for our food. Only 20% of that is from seed to harvest. The rest is in transportation.
You really can make a huge difference for Sustainability just by what you eat. Here are 10 great ways to eat for Sustainability: