FIVE FOOD PRACTICES ALTERNATIVE TO BIG BOX GROCERS
Community supported ag
01
Community supported agriculture (CSA) is a seasonal subscription program offered by local farmers, delivering harvest produce boxes straight from the farm on a weekly or bi-weekly basis (frequency varies).
By joining a CSA, members provide direct financial support to farmers, helping them:
pay fair wages to farm workers,
expand production capacity, and
invest in upgraded equipment.
Local Examples
FOOD COOPERATIVE
02
Food cooperatives (co-ops) are grocery stores that are owned and operated exclusively by community members. All co-op members have an input in what foods and products are sold, as well as how they are compensated.
Co-ops fortify local economies and help disrupt the harmful dominance of industrial agriculture by sourcing items from local businesses. In fact, co-ops work with local farms and producers 2.5 times more than big box grocers.
Local Examples
FREE FRIDGE & PANTRY
03
Free fridges and pantries are volunteer-run resource hubs (typically located within a residential or restaurant space) that provide community members with 24/7 access to fresh produce, shelf-stable foods, and hygiene products. Operating on the principle of “take what you need, leave what you can,” locals stock the fridge and pantry with what they can spare, and are welcome to take what they need, without question.
Dittmar (618 W Dittmar Rd)
Brentwood (1601 W Koenig Ln)
Nixta (2512 E 12th St)
Dove Springs (6710 Ripple Run)
West Campus (2000 Pearl St)
Healing Project (5426 Guadalupe St)
Local Examples
farmer’s market
04
Farmers markets take place in a public space typically on a weekly basis and are dedicated to local growers and businesses who sell produce, meats, and other products.
Although these markets are located within relatively privileged white neighborhoods, there have been more initiatives from public and non-profit sectors to introduce farmers markets within marginalized communities that often lack access to nutritious food options.
Local Examples
Boggy Creek (3414 Lyons Rd)
Downtown (422 Guadalupe St)
Sunset Valley (3200 Jones Rd)
Mueller (2006 Philomena St)
Steiner Ranch (12709 N Mopac)
Springdale General (1023 Springdale Rd)
Barton Creek (2901 S Capital of Texas Hwy)
FOOD FORESTS
05
Food Forests are portions of urban land dedicated to growing food that is free and accessible to the public. These lands create ecosystems that increase biodiversity and the sustainability of food production systems.
Food forests also requires less maintenance than annual gardens because they mimic the function of a natural forest, consisting of typically seven vegetation layers (trees, shrubs, ground cover, root crops, perennials, etc.).
Local Examples
Other helpful resources :)
Find Food Now Map - Central Texas Food Bank
www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/food-assistance/get-food-now
UT Student Community Map
FOOD DISTRIBUTION GROUPS
THE HEALING PROJECT RESOURCE LIST
www.thehealingprojectatx.org/find-resources
Support these groups by signing up to volunteer with them!