Austin food equity program eyeing long-term solutions to continue operations

AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austin-Travis County food access program created at the start of the coronavirus pandemic is seeking funding assistance to continue operations.

Joi Chevalier is the founder and CEO of The Cook's Nook, a culinary incubator that helps develop and promote equitable, nutritional food access. With the onset of the pandemic in spring 2020, Chevalier helped develop the Supplemental Emergency Food Access Network (SEFAN) to address food insecurities and gaps, with focuses primarily in the eastern crescent and rural portions of Travis County.

She spoke before the Austin-Travis County Public Health Commission Wednesday about the success of the program and funding insecurities down the road.

SEFAN centers on culturally relevant nutrition, or providing nutritionally dense foods that "smells, tastes and gives experience" people expect from meals, Chevalier said. The process is designed to develop nutrition in collaboration with community members and in ways that are reflective of their interests, while taking their concerns seriously, she added.

"The meals reflect the amazing palate of the American experience at this point, and that also includes the global influences that are particular to Austin and Travis County as well," Chevalier said.

Target populations include food insecure individuals and households; people with disabilities or who are ill or immunocompromised; those who are pregnant, postpartum or serve as sole caregivers for infants or young children; older adults; people in recovery; people experiencing homelessness; people in supported housing; and those lacking transportation access.

From January 2021 through March 2024, SEFAN delivered more than one million meals to Austin-area families, with the program serving an average of 3,000 households and 27,000 meals each month. It averages between 4,000 and 6,000 meals each week, Chevalier added.

Now, she said the program is at risk of ending this year; it was originally funded with American Rescue Plan Act, finite economic stimulus allotments approved and issued by Congress in the wake of the pandemic.

Chevalier told the commission Travis County is working to extend the program. She added a possible partnership with Central Health in early 2025 could yield continued pilots at the following sites:

• Maternal Health Clinic in Del Valle
• Black Men's Health Clinic
• CommUnityCare: David Powell Health Center
• Saffron Trust Women's Foundation/El Buen Samaritano

She noted SEFRAN has been in talks with Central Health on how those pilots could help benefit Central Health's health equity initiatives. Eventually, she said she would love the program to expand beyond those four populations, but is hopeful of the opportunity to continue SEFRAN's efforts in that capacity.