Join us for the Food For Thought: Spring Service Week Kick-Off, presented by The Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas and Blackbaud!

On Monday, May 21, we’ll kick-off the week at Capital Factory with some great food & light bites from Komeeda and some great conversations learning more about the robust and fragile food ecosystem.

World-renowned food economist Dr. Raj Patel and Erin C. Lentz will talk about how Austinites feed their families and how too many of our neighbours are challenged doing so. They’ll discuss how we can improve access, quality, and availability. We’ll then be joined by Derrick Chubbs (Central Texas Food Bank), Ronda Rutledge (Sustainable Food Center), Max Elliott (Urban Roots), Edwin Marty (City of Austin's Office of Sustainability), and Robyn Metcalfe (Food + City) for a broader, audience interactive conversation.

Details:

Date: May 21st, 2018
Time: 4:00-6:00pm
Location: Capital Factory
Cost: FREE
Provided: Great food, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages

Agenda:

4:00pm: Drinks, food, and Networking
4:30pm: Keynote by Dr. Raj Patel & Dr. Erin Lentz
5:00pm: Panel Additions with Ronda Rutledge, Derrick Chubbs, and Max Elliott
5:30pm: Audience Interactive Q&A

About Spring Service Week:

This year’s Spring Service Week is May 21st – 25th, 2018. Austinites enjoy a thriving farmers’ market system, some of the best grocers in the country, numerous farm to table restaurants, and a robust and envied local food ecosystem. However, not everyone in our community enjoys these benefits. Poverty, ill health, lack of transportation, and awareness of availability can deny access and contribute to poor nutrition for too many. A recent study in 2016 by Dr. Raj Patel and Erin C. Lentz found that 25% of Austinites suffered from food insecurity.

We have partnered with the following nonprofits to mobilize volunteers from Austin's tech community to focus impact and change:

The Sustainable Food Center (SFC)
Urban Roots
Mobile Loaves and Fishes & Community First!
Farmshare Austin
Meals on Wheels
The Central Texas Food Bank
Multicultural Refugee Coalition