Good Work Austin Advocates for Food Workers at City Council

October 10, 2024 was a significant day for our community as our Executive Director, Kara Hanaoka, took to the podium at the Austin City Council meeting. She passionately advocated for food workers and local food businesses as part of the push to adopt the Austin/Travis County Food Plan.

At Good Work Austin, we have been deeply involved in shaping this transformative plan. Our Program Director, Nitza Cuevas, co-chaired the Community Advisory Committee, ensuring that diverse voices contributed to a vision for a more equitable and sustainable food system in Austin.

A Collaborative Effort

The Austin/Travis County Food Plan is the culmination of years of hard work, collaboration, and community input. It lays out nine ambitious goals aimed at strengthening every aspect of our local food system, focusing on fair wages for our food workers and support for local food businesses. This plan is not just a document; it marks the beginning of a journey toward a just food system for all.

In her address to the council, Kara highlighted the vital role of our 65,000 food workers, who form the backbone of our economy. Despite their essential contributions, many face long hours, strenuous conditions, and an average wage of just over $15 an hour. Alarmingly, nearly half of these workers experience food insecurity themselves. The Food Plan offers critical strategies to address these issues, ensuring livable wages and fair labor practices.

Building Resilience

The plan also emphasizes the importance of community resilience in the face of emergencies—be it pandemics or extreme weather events. Good Work Austin has already mobilized local restaurants to provide thousands of meals during disasters, demonstrating the urgent need for a system that values both our environment and our neighbors.

Kara’s call to action was clear: “I urge you to vote enthusiastically in favor of the adoption of the Food Plan.” She emphasized the need for continued support and resources for its implementation, highlighting that the plan reflects the desires and needs of our community.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, the adoption of this Food Plan will pave the way for a brighter future for Austin’s food system. We’re excited about the potential this plan has to create a sustainable and equitable environment for all food workers and businesses in our community.

A special shout-out goes to the incredible team at the City of Austin’s Office of Sustainability for their hard work and dedication in bringing this vision to life!

To learn more about the Food Plan and its impact on Austin’s future, visit bit.ly/FoodPlanATX.

To watch the full Austin City Council meeting and their adoption of the Food Plan visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/317335.

Together, let’s champion a food system that is just, equitable, and sustainable for all!