On September 3, Central Texas Food Bank convened nearly 100 leaders from across Central Texas for the first-ever Central Texas Regional Food Summit, held in partnership with Ascension Texas. City and county officials, school districts, emergency responders, health leaders, and nonprofits joined us with one shared purpose: building a stronger, more connected regional food system for our 21-county service area.
The day began with a powerful moment as the City of Austin and Travis County officially proclaimed September 3 Central Texas Regional Food Summit Day. It underscored a vital truth hunger doesn’t stop at city limits or county lines – and neither should our response.
Throughout the day, panelists shared insights on the challenges and opportunities facing our region:
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Where is the Need? Leaders from Pflugerville, Manor, and Hays County shared new Community Needs Assessment data, revealing how hunger affects families across demographics and geographies. CTFB emphasized how data-driven insights guide smarter investments — from school pantries to expanded cold storage –ensuring food access meets neighbors where they are.
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Emergency Response: Food as a First Line of Care. Emergency managers reflected on lessons from floods and winter storms, underscoring that food is critical infrastructure in times of crisis. With our fleet, kitchen, and partner network CTFB serves as a frontline responder, and new agreements will strengthen coordination for faster response when disaster strikes.
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Food is Medicine. Healthcare leaders highlighted the powerful role nutrition plays in health outcomes, from maternal care to chronic disease management. Programs across Central Texas show that food is more than support – it’s prevention. CTFB is proud partner with healthcare systems to provide nutritious meals that improve health outcomes for patients and families across Central Texas.
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Supporting Our Unhoused Neighbors. Community leaders emphasized the vital role of quality food in building trust and connection. CTFB Partnerships with shelters and client-choice pantries show how nutritious meals served with dignity can be the first step towards long-term stability for unhoused neighbors.
The summit closed with a look ahead: this fall, CTFB will convene the nation’s first Regional Food System Council, bringing together leaders from healthcare, education, government, and emergency response. The council will align data, share resources, and drive coordinated strategies to strengthen the regional food system.
As our President & CEO Sari M. Vatske shared in her closing remarks:
“Food is community. It’s the one thing we all have in common – in joy, in hardship, across every culture and county line. By bringing the right people to the table, we can be the bridge to lasting solutions.”
The Food Summit was just the beginning. Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected Central Texas, one where every neighbor has access to the nutritious food and resources they need to thrive.
