By Megan Wehring
HAYS COUNTY – Serving over 20 counties in the area, the Central Texas Food Bank opened the Loewy Law Firm Garden Center on Friday, July 15, to continue its mission of ending hunger.
The Austin-based facility is a purpose-built space within the food bank’s garden that enables innovative approaches to nutrition education and gardening programs.
“The Loewy Law Firm Garden Center represents our commitment to ending hunger here in Central Texas,” said Sari Vatske, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. “Ending hunger is about access to nutritious food and this garden center provides just that. We extend our gratitude to Adam Loewy of the Loewy Law Firm, AMD and all the other donors who contributed to this project for helping us take the next step toward a hunger-free community.”
The new Garden Center is a weather-protected space that allows nutrition educators to provide cooking demonstrations using garden-fresh produce while promoting nutritional knowledge, culinary skills and healthier eating habits.
In addition to a large covered pavilion, the Garden Center features a storage space for tools and supplies and an area to wash, process and pack produce, minimizing spoilage and waste. There are also restrooms to support the high volume of volunteers working in the garden as well as classroom attendees.
While the Garden Center is located in Austin, the Central Texas Food Bank also serves Hays County residents.
“Hays County is one of the 21 counties we serve here in Central Texas,” said Paul Gaither, marketing and communications director. “That service area is twice the size of Massachusetts.”
The food bank partners with cities to host food drives and mobile food pantries at ACC Hays in Kyle and at Rattler Stadium in San Marcos. Other collaborations with local organizations include the Hays County Food Bank at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, SVDP St. Martin de Porres, Buda UMC Food Pantry, Santa Cruz Catholic Church and Helping Hands in Dripping Springs.
Those in need can reference an online food finder at www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/food-assistance/get-food-now – an address or ZIP code is all that is needed to find nearby food distribution sites.
