2 weeks Ago
AUSTIN, Texas — One Austin city council member is proposing a one-stop shop location for people in need to get fresh food that would otherwise be thrown out. The centralized Food Recovery Hub, proposed by City Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison, would also meet a key goal of the first-ever comprehensive food plan approved by city and county leaders in fall 2024. Under the proposal posted Wednesday to the Austin City Council Message Board , the city would provide the infrastructure, oversight and real estate.
The proposal calls for a 20,000-square-foot city-owned facility, like an existing one on Rutherford Lane in northeast Austin. Partner groups would handle daily operations, food distribution and program implementation. Grocery stores, restaurants, food distributors and other private entities would donate food.
Storage, preparation and culinary training would happen on site. “All of us being well makes us all better,” said Harper-Madison. City officials say 15% of people in Travis County experience food insecurity, meaning they can’t reliably get enough food.
Additionally, 37% of material headed to city landfills is organic waste, with edible food making up a large percentage. City officials estimate 1.24 million pounds of food are wasted every day in the Austin area.
This proposal aims to bridge public and private sectors to tackle both challenges. It’s a solution inspired by Harper-Madison’s time working in the events world. “They didn’t know that their caterers were going to throw away all that food at the end of the night,” said Harper-Madison.
“I had to show them, ‘Look in the dumpster on your way out.’” Harper-Madison believes her proposal could cut duplicate efforts amid tight funding. “I was there for that five-year-forecast of our budget,” said Harper-Madison “I’m telling you, there are programs that will not be funded anymore.
” The estimated costs are $2.5 million to start up, and $750,000 per year in operating expenses. The city will pursue philanthropic donations and corporate sponsorships to help offset the cost.
Harper-Madison said she’s presented this proposal and others to City Manager T.C. Broadnax.
She hopes to hear back in a couple of weeks on next steps..
