Spirit of East Austin lives on

Over the weekend, city and county officials joined HEB to talk about health and wellness progress in the Spirit of East Austin initiative. Specifically, the group spoke of plans for the Del Valle area intended to address food insecurity and increase access to healthy food. According to a press release from the city, “H-E-B purchased a 17-acre site at the southeast corner of FM 973 and HWY 71. As H-E-B continues to evaluate the location as a potential site, the grocer has immediate plans to become part of the solution to food access issues in Del Valle. H-E-B announced a private/public partnership between H-E-B and Austin nonprofit Farmshare to increase actual food production in Del Valle by exploring opportunities to cultivate in-demand locally grown crops on a portion of H-E-B’s 17-acre land parcel. H-E-B also plans to support a mobile food pantry program serving Del Valle students through the Central Texas Food Bank. The program aspires to provide nutrition education and fresh food for families. In addition, H-E-B has offered the land for use by the City of Austin and partner nonprofits for services and events such as SNAP registration.”