Photo by Brett Sayles

Spring is the perfect time to explore all the wonders that Austin has to offer. From outdoor adventures to cultural events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. I’m always on the lookout for fun and educational activities to do with my family. Here are five of my favorite activities to do during springtime in Austin:

1. Attend a spring festival – Our city is known for its vibrant festival scene, and there are several family-friendly events happening in the spring. The Pecan Street Festival and Texas VegFest are just a couple of festivals offering fun activities, food, and entertainment for all ages. These festivals offer a great opportunity to sample local food and drinks, enjoy live music and entertainment, and meet new people. It’s a fun way to celebrate the arrival of spring, and immerse yourself in the local culture.
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   Photo by Nagaraju Gajula

   Visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a stunning botanical garden that showcases the beauty of Texas’ native flora. With over 900 species of plants, it’s a great place to explore and learn about the state’s natural diversity. The center also offers educational programs and events for all ages, including guided tours, workshops, and nature walks. Check out the full list of events happening all spring like the Field of Lights and Nature Nights.
3. Attend a Round Rock Express baseball game – The Round Rock Express is a minor league baseball team that plays at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, just outside of Austin. Families can enjoy a fun night out at the ballpark and watch some great baseball.
4. Take a hike at McKinney Falls State Park – McKinney Falls State Park is a beautiful natural area that offers hiking trails, swimming holes, and scenic views. Families can hike through the park’s trails and take a dip in the cool waters of Onion Creek.
5. Enjoy a food truck picnic – Austin is known for its food truck scene, and there are plenty of family-friendly options to choose from. You can have a picnic at any of the city’s parks or green spaces and try a variety of foods from different trucks. It’s a great way to experience the city’s unique culinary culture while enjoying the beautiful spring weather. Here is a list of food truck parks in Austin.

Austin is a wonderful place to explore in the spring, with plenty of activities for families to enjoy. Whether you’re a nature lover, a foodie, or a culture enthusiast, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant city. So, go out there and enjoy all the wonders that Austin has to offer!

About the Writer: Wendy Kiddy is a fifth-year member of The Junior League of Austin. She has called Austin home for more than 2 decades. Her days are filled working within a Portfolio Management Office (PMO), managing data, and reporting to develop business strategies for project management. In her free time, she can be found in the gym, enjoying live music, or spending time with her husband and rescue dog.

A Junior League of Austin sustainer spotlight.

Recognition of an A Christmas Affair (ACA) tote bag that carried my lunch for the day was how I got to meet Mary Henderson. At the time, we both worked at the same large government agency and were both headed into the office one morning. Mary noticed my tote bag, sparking a conversation in the garage elevator about ACA. We bonded over being members of The Junior League of Austin (JLA), and Mary was gracious enough to spend some time with me later and chat about her experience in the League.

Mary is a Sustainer who has participated in a variety of placements. From writing for Capitalines to serving as the Sustaining Advisor for the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, Mary has committed much of her time to JLA and the community. When asked about what encouraged her to join a Junior League chapter, Mary emphasized a commitment to the community and specifically, the ability to provide resources to the community. Seeing the difference JLA has made, along with getting to know other women in the community, has been a continuing reward in her membership with the League.

We chatted about several placements that Mary held, with her favorite placement being Capitalines. During her time as a writer, she wrote about challenges that members had overcome, such as  eating disorders. She also wrote about ways that JLA members volunteered in the community. Like many of us, Mary has taken advantage of the training aspect of the League and participated in placements that encouraged her to grow. For example, one of her placements was located at the Zilker Botanical Garden. JLA members were tasked with coming up with a creative backdrop for the mobile learning center. As the Chair, she was in charge of coordinating everyone’s schedules, which proved to be a challenging task. This opportunity allowed Mary to learn new skills and tackle a placement that she ultimately ended up enjoying, even if initially she felt out of her element. Her time at JLA also brought exciting and memorable opportunities, such as meeting Lady Bird Johnson.

The Junior League of Austin has been rewarding for Mary in so many ways — from participating in her placements to allowing her to share traditions with her family, such as enjoying ACA with her daughter. JLA connected her with people throughout the community and helped form friendships. From her experience with JLA and the impact the League has made, Mary provided me with a piece of wisdom that she would like to share with all other members: “Don’t be afraid of any new opportunity presented in the League. It’s important to get outside your comfort zone, as you never know just who you will meet and how it will expand your horizons.” And maybe if you’re as lucky as I was, you’ll run into another Junior League member in an elevator on the way to work.

Special thank you to Mary Henderson for chatting with me about her experience in The Junior League of Austin.

About the Writer: Mandy Romenesko is in her third year with The Junior League of Austin. Her favorite volunteer activity is Food In Tummies (FIT). In her spare time, she can be found listening to true crime podcasts, spending time with her two rescue dogs, and watching reality TV. 

JLA was honored to be invited by Deidra Floyd, an active JLA member and the assistant principal at Canyon Creek Elementary, to speak at the Round Rock ISD (RRISD) World Class Student Leadership Conference. After our leadership participated in the virtual event in 2021, we were excited to be invited back to present on girls in leadership for RRISD’s in-person conference in 2022. 

As part of the conference, JLA was asked to present on how we contribute to the Austin community through leadership and volunteerism. After a fun day with these bright future leaders, I’m excited to share my firsthand experience from the conference.

Before we got started, I asked all the students to sit next to someone they didn’t know. I told them how I don’t know anyone in the room but reminded them that we all want the same thing—to learn and share about why leading and volunteering means something to us—so we are all among friends. I was inspired by how they all instantly got up and stepped out of their comfort zones in an effort to be vulnerable with me. 

To kick us off, I introduced myself and talked about my family, interests, and volunteer history with the League and in the Austin area. I told the young leaders that I was on the student council when I was in elementary school and would have loved a cool conference like the one they had that day. I broke down the JLA mission statement for them, and I explained why I appreciate being part of a large group of women who want to make a meaningful impact and help each other learn and grow in the process. I also asked the students to share where they have volunteered and what organizations they know about in the community. I got an array of responses, including animal shelters (using my own rescue dog to jump-start this connection), food pantries, assistance of individuals with disabilities, and community impact organizations. The students were all excited to hear about the different organizations around the Central Texas area and share what they already know about volunteering. 

We talked about how we can prioritize our time for community service. The children gushed about their personal interests and their involvement with the student council. I congratulated the entire group on choosing to be part of the student council, showing up for the conference, and learning more about volunteering. 

The students also wanted to know about the impact of JLA. I used numbers to help with the narrative, sharing how we have more than 2,400 members who commit to 160,000 combined hours of service. I shared how we provide volunteer opportunities and funds to other organizations to help their important work. One student asked about our fundraising efforts, which gave me the opportunity to describe A Christmas Affair and how they could connect with family members or trusted adults to learn more. 

I ended with talking about how I use what I’ve learned in my JLA placements to help in my work life and how, in return, I use professional experiences to contribute to JLA. I used my current role as Parliamentarian as an example. The young leaders connected with the concept that a Parliamentarian is like having a referee at a meeting to help everything run smoothly, follow the rules that everyone agrees to, and help teach people what the rules are. My hope is the students left feeling inspired to use their individual strengths to create value through volunteerism.  

Before I knew it, the time was up. I was in awe of how the students wanted to keep up the conversation about how to volunteer, their experience volunteering, and what they want to do next. One of the students drew a picture of my dog Rosie from my bio slide and thanked me for sharing about my time volunteering and helping my community. I melted when she gave it to me! I proudly have the drawing on my refrigerator, and it makes me smile every time I see it.

I sincerely appreciate JLA and RRISD for this opportunity to connect with student leaders and hopefully show them that their career in service is only beginning.

About the Writer: Amanda Lopez joined The Junior League of Austin (JLA) in 2017. Austin is her hometown, and she has been impressed by JLA ever since participating in the Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program (now Con Mi MADRE). Amanda stays busy using her attorney mindset and skills to support the development of an opioid abatement grant program at the Texas Comptroller’s office. When she is not in the office, you can catch Amanda running around Town Lake, hiking with her rescue dog, enjoying a local restaurant, or spending time with her family.

Whether you are looking for a new job or need to update your job experience, resumes are important. For many of us, a resume is an ever-changing document detailing big wins. While we are all so much more than what is on a single document, a resume does play an important role in the job-hunting process.

As a lawyer, I have gone through brutal edits on my own resume. I have met with mentors and career departments. I have had to change my resume again and again. I have learned the hard way that a poorly formatted resume can cost you an opportunity. But with all the editing, I have gained tidbits of information. In the spirit of The Junior League of Austin’s Training and Education month, now is the perfect time to try working on resume building skills. Below are some of the best resume tips my own mentors and career counselors have shared with me.

1. The Resume Gets You the Interview

My career counselor once told me: “You need the resume to get you the interview. After that, you can take the lead.” The resume is what hiring managers use to figure out their first impression of you. It’s what is used to make sure all the necessary boxes are checked—the thing that gets your foot in the door. It cannot tell the whole story of any job or experience, but it can be a tool to determine if you meet the basic requirements of a job posting. For example, if a job posting has any licensure requirements, those requirements should be listed in your resume. Once you get into the interview, you can expand on your experiences and show the employer your personality. Until then, let your resume show that you meet any requirements and have the relevant experience for the job you are applying for.

2. Realistically Limit Your Pages

We have all heard the crazy statistic that a hiring manager spends mere seconds reviewing an applicant’s resume. Because of this, try to limit your resume to one page. Mentors have told me that a second page should only ever be used if you are years into your career. Otherwise, only the most relevant experience should be listed. One way I help myself determine what experience to include is to ask myself this: If someone were to call my old job, would my old job be able to speak about me? If it’s a job from 10 years ago or a job I only spent a few months working at, the answer is likely no. Save these jobs for additional examples and information to provide during your interview, if needed.

3. Numbers, Numbers, Numbers

A page filled with words is easy to scan over, so let yourself stand out by using numbers. Numbers are a great way to show your impact and success at a job, while showcasing your experience. Examples include: “15 years of Human Resources support for 3 different companies” or “10 state grants funded through applications compiled and submitted in my role as grant writer.”

4. Keep a List of Important Projects and Milestones

At every job, keep a list of the important projects and milestones you have accomplished. This is particularly important as we move from job to job since we can easily forget specifics about what we worked on in each position. This list will not only be handy when you prepare for an interview, but it will allow you to have a set of experiences to pick from when reviewing a job posting. It will also be helpful when writing about particular experiences in a cover letter.

Even when you are applying for a job that differs from your others, a list will help you see patterns. For example, a job may not care about the motions I have argued, but from looking at my list it is clear I have an abundance of experience with public speaking. Then in an interview, I can expand on how a particular experience may help me in the job I am applying for, even if it is not exactly in line with the job.

5. Lay the Groundwork with Your Resume

Your resume shouldn’t be so descriptive that it leaves you with nothing to write about in your cover letter. Your cover letter is an expansion of a few experiences. Let your resume be the preview to your cover letter. For example, my resume may mention arguing motions. My cover letter can discuss specific examples of motions argued, and how that strength will apply to the job I am applying for. Letting your resume preview your cover letter allows you to have a coherent job application package.

Writing a resume is trial and error. I hope these tips will help one of you like they have helped me!

About the Writer: Mandy Romenesko is in her third year with The Junior League of Austin. Her favorite volunteer activity is Food In Tummies (FIT). In her spare time, she can be found listening to true crime podcasts, spending time with her two rescue dogs, and watching reality TV. 

This year’s Austin Entertains event is 7–10 p.m. on Thursday, March 2 at The Junior League of Austin’s (JLA) Community Impact Center (CIC). Austin Entertains has served as the spring fundraising event for JLA since 2016 and has become the “who’s who” for women in the Central Texas food and beverage scene.

This unique culinary event features female chefs, bartenders, spirit purveyors, and industry leaders from the Austin area’s most recognized and awarded restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries, and distilleries. You can expect to see chefs like Allie McMillan from ATX Cocina, Kavyn Pacheco from Olamaie, and Carol Huntsberger from Quality Seafood, as well as amazing cocktails and beverages served by Austin Beerworks, Ranch Rider Spirits, and Dulce Vida Tequila.

Austin Entertains is also proud to spotlight one of JLA’s signature programs, Food In Tummies (FIT), which combats food insecurity in the Austin area. Additionally, Austin Entertains awards a Culinary Fellowship prize each year—a large monetary grant and professional services package to help develop and further the winner’s career in the culinary field. Learn how to apply to become a culinary participant.

Get Involved

Whether or not you are a part of Austin’s culinary community, there are still multiple ways to get involved with this year’s event:

• Become an Austin Entertains Sponsor: Contact the Fund Development VP or Austin Entertains Chair
• Donate to our Silent Auction & Raffle: Contact the Auction Chair
• Attend the event and purchase your General Admission or VIP tickets online: The VIP Experience opens at 6 p.m. with special tastings in the VIP Experience Lounge. Your ticket includes complimentary valet parking, live music with Julia Ward, signature VIP cocktails, a robust food- and beverage-focused swag bag, permanent jewelry with Lisa Crowder, and a complimentary raffle ticket for the Austin Weekend Getaway package.

Can’t make the event, or plan to leave the kids with a babysitter while you attend? Make sure you “Take Home A Slice of Austin Entertains” with fun take-home pizza kits donated by Suds Monkey Brewing. The kit includes a movie rental, cookie-decorating kits, drinks, activities, and more! Kits are $35 and are available to buy starting January 23.

We can’t wait to see you on March 2!

About the Writer: Julie Hagen is a fifth-year member of The Junior League of Austin. She does social media for a state agency and is looking forward to applying those skills as a LeagueLines writer. She was born and raised in Austin and is a third-generation JLA member.

Happy New Year, The Junior League of Austin (JLA)! The new year is always an exciting time. It’s a time filled with resolutions, hopes, and so many opportunities. There are many ways to celebrate the new year. Below are a few ways to make 2023 the best yet!

Master a new skill.

February is Training and Education Month! It’s the perfect opportunity to branch out of your comfort zone and tune into a session about a new topic. Past years’ sessions have covered everything from fertility awareness to buying a house and creating a balloon garland. Everyone can find something that interests them. I know I’m excited to see all the options available this year!

Learn a new language.

I haven’t taken a language course since college. This next year, I want to challenge myself to learn a new language. The Junior League of Austin hosts the Spanish Immersion Program, which starts this month. There are also a variety of apps that can help you learn a new language on your own schedule. Duolingo is a popular, highly rated app. Rosetta Stone is another option. And finally, there are podcasts available that can help beginners learn and listen to a new language, which is perfect for commutes.

Do something memorable.

Life can be mundane. That’s why in 2023, I’m going to try to do one thing that I can remember for years to come. Whether seeing Taylor Swift in concert (which is my choice), finishing school, getting that promotion, finding a routine you love, or running a marathon, let 2023 be the year you will always remember!

Find something that empowers you.

When was the last time you did something that made you feel powerful and courageous? This year, I’m going back to something that made me feel so powerful: kickboxing. I personally love kickboxing because it challenges me to do something hard while also making me feel so cool. But kickboxing isn’t the only hobby for feeling empowered. For others, it may be baking, running, reading, or learning a new dish to cook. Anything that makes you feel great will do the trick!

Find something that prioritizes you.

Between work demands, family responsibilities, errands, and everything else on our calendars, self-care is often the last thing we think about. This year, I’m going to try to give myself time each day to do something solely for me. That might be a 10-minute meditation session, a workout class, 45 minutes of reading, or a nice bath. The goal is to do something that is refreshing and relaxing. As we all have heard, you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Remember that you’re doing your best!

Finally, the last thing I’ll be doing to challenge myself this year is to practice giving myself grace. We are all busy humans, balancing work, family, volunteering, and many other things. It can be so easy to get caught up in all that’s going on that we beat ourselves up for not doing enough. That’s when it’s important to remember we’re all doing our best!

About the Writer: Mandy Romenesko is in her third year with The Junior League of Austin. Her favorite volunteer activity is Food In Tummies (FIT). In her spare time, she can be found listening to true crime podcasts, spending time with her two rescue dogs, and watching reality TV. 

The collaboration with The Junior League of Austin (JLA), its partners, and the community has cultivated a fantastic outreach opportunity. If you have volunteered with Coats for Kids, I am sure you recall the first time witnessing the excitement of a child receiving a new coat and the fulfillment and joy that stem from the experience.

Over the years, Coats for Kids has evolved. A lot has changed since my first experience at the one-day shopping event at Palmer Events Center. The week before the event, volunteers sorted and sized coats, and the day of the event, volunteers helped recipients pick out their coats. This model allowed JLA to give an average of 6,000 coats directly to recipients and the other roughly 24,000 coats to our community partners, who then handed out coats to the communities they served.

Coats for Kids 2022 Model

After 2020, the Coats for Kids model needed an overhaul to adapt to the community’s changing needs and the desire for a more flexible model. The Coats for Kids Committee strategized new methods for growing the program and made the Community Impact Center (CIC) the new hub for Coats for Kids.

Now, volunteers sort, size, shop, and tag coats in our lower-level garage at CIC. This is also an opportunity to share CIC with the community and showcase the beautifully constructed building. JLA’s vision for CIC to offer space for the League to expand its philanthropy work and provide community access is realized through the current Coats for Kids model.

In addition, the committee works with schools in AISD and DVISD to fill out a coat order form with the recipient’s name, size, and color preferences. Since making these changes, Coats for Kids has made a larger impact on our Central Texas community. We can now distribute 15,000 coats directly to children while the other 15,000 go to our community partners. The committee has also increased outreach by working with various charter schools in Austin.

Coats for Kids 2022 Community Impact

This year, we hit a new milestone: giving away our millionth coat!

Coats for Kids would not be possible without its great partners, including Jack Brown Cleaners, iHeartRadio, and KVUE, that share our vision and our incredible community in Austin, Texas.

Thank you again to our partners, volunteers, community members and all who contributed to help keep children in Central Texas warm this winter season.

 

 

 

 

 

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Coats for Kids 2022 By-the-Numbers

• 32,138 coats donated
• 1,500 volunteers for a total of 4,500 hours of time donated by community volunteers
• 149 organizations participated in the Coat Drive Competition for a total of 8,443 coats collected
• 60 schools, 69 businesses and 20 community organizations hosted a Coat Drive collection bin
• 11,500 Dental kits donated by St. David’s to be included in coat distribution
• 1,000 families and 1,700 coats requested coats through the Recipient Outreach Committee
• 50 Community organizations received 15,000 coats for community non-profits

About the Writer: Wendy Kiddy is a fifth-year member of The Junior League of Austin. She has called Austin home for more than 2 decades. Her days are filled working within a Portfolio Management Office (PMO), managing data, and reporting to develop business strategies for project management. In her free time, she can be found in the gym, enjoying live music, or spending time with her husband and rescue dog.

What could possibly be better than chips, queso, and margaritas?

How about providing a growing child with a new pair of shoes, healthy food to fill their tummies, or multiple coats for kids this holiday season?

As part of its promotion for the annual holiday market A Christmas Affair, The Junior League of Austin (JLA) took over the famed sign at local Austin Tex-Mex restaurant El Arroyo. The iconic sign serves as an Austin landmark, with passing commuters and over 600,000 Instagram followers eager to read its daily messages on the corner of West 5th Street.

Coats For Kids, Jeep For You

A Christmas Affair is the League’s largest fundraiser, raising about $1 million annually for its signature programs—Food In Tummies, Kids In Cool Shoes, and Coats for Kids—and the more than 20 non-profit organizations that the League partners with annually.

In addition to raising funds through the holiday market, JLA is raffling off a brand-new 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited from Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships.

Buy Your ACA Raffle Tickets

The El Arroyo sign’s message is clear: Buy your A Christmas Affair Jeep raffle ticket to support JLA’s signature programs and directly give back to the Austin community.

Be sure to also check out the other raffle items, including a Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM tote, 1-carat diamond earrings from Benold’s Jewelers, or a $10,000 Shopping Spree to Korman Fine Jewelry—and don’t forget to purchase your Market Day tickets to shop at the Palmer Events Center from Nov. 17–20, 2022.

About the Writer: Krystin Gresham serves as the 2022–2023 LeagueLines Editor. Krystin has lived in Austin for 9 years and is a fifth-year member of The Junior League of Austin. She’s enjoyed serving children in Del Valle ISD through Food In Tummies, volunteering with our community partner ZACH Theatre, and building friendships during her time in the League. Krystin works in marketing and loves traveling with her husband, playing golf, and connecting with other ladies in the Austin community.

Fall is officially here. It’s a season when things feel cozy and the activities are endless. Grab yourself a pumpkin spice latte, and take part in some fun activities around Austin before the holiday season begins!

Fall Festivals

Austin and the surrounding areas have fall festivals that are fun for the whole family. They’re the perfect place to find the best pumpkin to carve or paint, grab a fun snack, and enjoy the cooler weather. Here are a few highly rated local festivals:

• Georgetown: Sweet Eats Fruit Farm Fall Festival (Last day is Nov. 20, 2022)
• Marble Falls: Sweet Berry Farm (Last day is Nov. 6, 2022)
• Bastrop: Barton Hill Farms (Last day is Nov. 6, 2022)

Field of Light

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center currently has an incredible light display by artist Bruce Munro. View the gorgeous display before it is gone.

Ticket information can be found here. The last day of the display is Dec. 30, 2022.

Turkey Trot

The annual Thundercloud Subs Turkey Trot will be on Nov. 24! You can do a 5-mile run or a 1-mile walk. All proceeds will benefit Caritas of Austin.

Registration and more details can be found here.

Stock Up on Your Trader Joe’s Favorites

Fun can be had on your own schedule and in your own kitchen, too. From pumpkin bread mix and cinnamon bun spread to butternut squash mac & cheese and autumn soups, Trader Joe’s is known to have unique and fun fall foods. Now is the perfect time to try a new dessert or soup before all the fall favorites are gone until next year.

Grab a Pumpkin Spice Latte With a Friend

One of the great things about fall is the feeling of a new season for us all. The end of summer means the beginning of a new school year or a change of pace at work. Between all the changes, consider setting aside time to grab a coffee—or PSL—with a friend.

Embrace the Fall Classics

Halloween may be behind us, but that doesn’t mean the spooky fun stops on Oct. 31. To stay in the spirit, my husband and I watch a thriller or horror movie every Friday during the fall season. Because the holiday season doesn’t start for us until after Thanksgiving, we celebrate the spooky season until Turkey Day. It’s a fun date night and way to celebrate the last few weeks of fall before we jump into the holiday season.

And if scary movies aren’t your thing, you can’t go wrong with classics such as Gilmore Girls (#TeamJess) and When Harry Met Sally.

Happy fall, y’all!

About the Writer: Mandy Romenesko is in her third year with The Junior League of Austin. Her favorite volunteer activity is Food In Tummies (FIT). In her spare time, she can be found listening to true crime podcasts, spending time with her two rescue dogs, and watching reality TV. 

There is no better way to begin a new season in Austin than to visit a local farmers’ market. This Austin experience has something for everyone, from live music to warm empanadas and freshly harvested kale.

The Junior League of Austin and Sustainable Food Center Partnership

Since 2014, The Junior League of Austin (JLA) has partnered with Sustainable Food Center (SFC), a nonprofit on a mission to “transform the food system to nourish our health, land, and livelihood.” This year, JLA will support SFC with Taste the Place. This weekly event showcases produce and other food products from vendors around the market. It also gives customers a true farm-to-table experience by providing quick, simple, easy recipes that use items sold in the market.

SFC hosts two farmers’ markets, the original downtown market at Republic Square and the quaint Sunset Valley market at Toney Burger Activity Center. SFC began its mission at the downtown market in 2003 and expanded to Sunset Valley in 2012. Today, the downtown location hosts about 75 vendors each week and attracts nearly 1,500 customers. The Sunset Valley location community involvement includes around 30 vendors each week and 400 customers. Each market is open 9 a.m.–1 p.m. every Saturday year-round, rain or shine.

SFC supports small and medium-sized farms and ranchers across Central Texas by offering grants assistance, scholarships, training, and consultations. The farms that participate in the farmers’ market are a host of leaders who use regenerative agriculture practices that protect the soil and biodiversity and who avoid use of harmful chemicals that pollute the land.

Promoting access to healthy food options is a top priority for SFC. Not only can you use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits at the market, but SFC also has the Double Up Food Bucks program. The program matches SNAP, WIC, and Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) benefits at farmers’ markets and mobile markets throughout Austin.

SFC Fall Events and Produce

This fall, SFC will host a fall festival from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Oct. 29 at their Sunset Valley location. The festival will highlight that the last day to redeem FMNP vouchers is Oct. 30. It will also promote that Nov. 1 kicks off triple WIC benefits at the market.

This family-friendly event is open to the public. There will be music, a fall photo booth, a fall produce scavenger hunt, and a raffle with items from the market.

The market will also have wonderful fall produce offerings through November:

• Vegetables—Arugula, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, collard greens, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, green beans, kale, mustard greens, lettuce, okra, onions, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and turnips
• Herbs—Basil, cilantro, dill, mint, and parsley
• Fruit—Melons, pears, and persimmons

Enjoy the taste of Austin at your local farmers’ market while supporting local farmers.

About the Writer: Wendy Kiddy is a fifth-year member of The Junior League of Austin. She has called Austin home for more than 2 decades. Her days are filled working within a Portfolio Management Office (PMO), managing data and reporting to develop business strategies for project management. In her free time, she can be found in the gym, enjoying live music, or spending time with her husband and rescue dog.