WHY
Thousands of Austinites face barriers in accessing quality, fresh, affordable, and culturally relevant foods. In Austin, 14.7% of the population is food insecure. This is higher than the national average of 12.9%
This is due to a combination of systemic inequities and practices in public policies at the local, state, and federal level as well as market forces in our food systems that have created both income inequality and a stark disparity in food access across incomes.
For over a decade, GAVA has worked toward increasing access to healthy food in our neighborhoods. We’ve worked in retail spaces, schools and public facilities, but we recognize that there is more to do to ensure that low-income communities and communities of color in Austin can participate more equitably in our food systems, both as consumers and as entrepreneurs and service workers.
HOW
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- Availability of healthy food
- Affordability of produce
- Awareness of food assistance programs
- Mobility options
GAVA’s Food Justice team organizes around creating access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally relevant food- defined by the community. This means creating new sources to purchase healthy affordable food in our neighborhoods, supporting fair labor practices, and promoting local and sustainable gardens and agricultural practices. Our efforts focus on empowering local food systems and community-led solutions, so that all residents can enjoy the benefits of good nutrition and food security. GAVA’s efforts and partnerships with residents, the City of Austin, and organizations like Sustainable Food Center, Urban Roots, and Farmshare Austin have resulted in several wins for food access since 2015, including:
Neighborhood produce stands at schools, recreation centers and apartments
Improvements to meal programs and options in after school and early childhood settings
The City’s first Healthy Corner Store Initiative that brought more healthy options within walking distance of our neighbors
A resident-led produce distribution program serving North and South Austin neighbors with fresh produce from Urban Roots
Planning for the development of a community owned grocery cooperative and the initiation of a resident-led steering committee
WHAT IS NEW?
Resident leaders from a variety of multilingual and multicultural backgrounds have championed GAVA’s food access work over the years, most recently in the form of a steering committee established to create a community-owned grocery cooperative in Austin’s Eastern Crescent. In late 2022, GAVA began acting as a catalyst, in partnership with Austin Cooperative Business Association and residents, to develop a community owned enterprise through the city-funded Austin Community Owned Food Retail Initiative.
We brought together nine Eastern Crescent community members who formed a steering committee and ultimately created a business plan for an affordable and culturally relevant food co-op in Del Valle. Steering Committee members met on a bi-weekly basis for over a year to learn about market studies, feasibility analyses, community organizing practices, anti-racist culture building, business plans, and more. Steering Committee members spoke many languages but communicated in every meeting across three: Spanish, English, and Arabic.
All meetings had simultaneous interpretation. In August 2024, the Steering Committee had their last meeting before transitioning to a board and incorporating. The Board will carry the work forward and establish a pilot cooperative grocery store in early 2025. The board will guide decisions for the pilot program, outreach efforts, and the capital campaign which will be raising funds to develop a full service store. GAVA will remain involved, supporting residents and the Outreach and Capital Campaign Committee as they move forward.
WHAT IS A FOOD CO-OP?
- A business focused on accessing food and other groceries, household goods;
- All profits go back into services or making co-op more affordable, or can be given to owners;
- Most food co-ops are owned by consumers/customers;
- Anyone can shop at the co-op
How to get involved
SIGN UP FOR THE FOOD CO-OP NEWSLETTER
Del Valle Cooperative Newsletters are now sent out by Austin Cooperative Business Association. To sign up for their emails, please click here to fill out a Membership Pledge.
Co-op Member Benefits:
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- Vote on who represents you on the Executive Board
- Run for the Executive Board
- Members-only who have purchased a membership are the only ones who can attend meetings
- Special discounts/coupons
- Ownership in a local food retail co-op that meets and ensures food access to the local community
- Unique to our co-op: Product Development & Skill building classes and access to selling your product at the co-op
- Del Valle Cooperative Newsletters are now sent out by Austin Cooperative Business Association. To sign up for their emails, please click here to fill out a Membership Pledge.
GAVA & Partners Previous Food Access Efforts
Fresh Produce Stands with SFC
Healthy Corner Stores with City of Austin
Produce Distribution Program with Urban Roots
In 2020, GAVA launched a resident-led produce distribution program in North and South Austin. Our produce provider and partner, Urban Roots, now houses the program, which delivers fresh produce to many households.
A collaboration with Urban Roots and resident leaders, providing affordable and accessible produce. GAVA contracts one resident leader and awards resident distributor leaders to coordinate and distribute produce on a weekly basis (in the growing seasons). This program has touched over 120 residents with up to 60 shares a week often-pound bags.