FOOD INSECURITY IN AUSTIN

Despite Austin becoming a competitive tech hub and one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, 15% of our city’s population cannot access fresh, healthy food. Our pantry is in district 4, zip code 78753, off of Rundberg Lane, near I-35, a historically divided line, composed of black, Latino, elderly residents, and low-income families. Many of our clients do not have transportation, so having a food pantry in their own neighborhood is crucial. Many of our volunteers also deliver food to families in need, who are unable, for a variety of reasons, to travel to traditional food pantries. In addition, we serve many many of our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. We have a stock of shelf stable food, and hygiene supplies, that we make available to our clients who don’t have access to refrigeration. Our clients are able to knock on the door day and receive food when in need. In a typical week, we serve over 100 families, and we are gaining new clients all the time.

Food waste is the single most common material landfilled and incinerated in the U.S., which contributes to toxic emissions. 14% of greenhouse gasses in the US are associated with growing, packaging, transporting, and disposing of food.