Skip lunch today to talk about food. The Sustainable Food Policy Board is meeting at City Hall at 12:30pm. The board helps form opinions to be passed on to the City Council. Come on over and sign up to voice your thoughts on food policy in Austin. Public input is encouraged. Today’s agenda:

1. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION
Each speaker signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will be called in order of
sign-up and will be allowed three minutes to speak about items not posted on the agenda
2. APPROVAL OF MAY 24, 2010 (AMENDED) AND JUNE 28, 2010 MINUTES
3. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
A. Discussion of officers and committee structures and leadership
B. Receive feedback from Committee Members on the Farm to Market end seller video
roundtable discussion
C. Update from the Communication Workgroup — Brandi Burton:
i. Draft annual report to the City Council and County Commissions Court
ii. Preliminary stakeholder distribution list for electronic communications
D. Discussion of Health and Human Services Department memo to Council on Farmer’s Market
– Hot Food Resolution
4. DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
A. David Lurie to present the FY2011 proposed budget – August 23, 2010
B. Election of Officers – August 23, 2010

Sustainable Food Policy Board: City Hall, July 26th, 12:30pm : 301 W. 2nd Street Austin, TX

I saw this coming, and for good reason. Barr Mansion is a cherished location to the Austin food community. Early in June, mother nature put her stamp on the historic ballroom, burning it to the ground (Bad Mother Nature!) It’s fundraiser time.

A fundraising event at Texas Disposal Systems facility will be held to help raise funds to rebuild the Artisan Ballroom at Barr Mansion. Despite some aid from insurance, Barr Mansion still needs help raising funds to rebuild the ballroom to its former glory. This event is organized by friends, family and fans of Barr Mansion as a thank you and encouragement for donations. Guests will enjoy an evening at the wonderful Exotic Game Ranch at Texas Disposal System and have an opportunity to sample artisan food and beverages from notable Austin restaurants and chefs. Donations may be made online at www.farmhousedelivery.com or checks made out to Barr Mansion may be brought to the event or mailed to 10463 Sprinkle Road, Austin, Texas, 78754 with the memo “Bar(r)n Raising”.

Fundraiser will be held at TDS Exotic Game Ranch : Sunday, July 18th, 5pm-8pm
Click Here for Reservations and More Information

It’s that time of year again. The Chronicle has a poll in the field. If you have been digging what we are doing here at Austin Food Journal, head over and pencil us in for “Local Food Blog”. It’s in the third section down, bottom line. There is nothing like getting some sweet love you guys. It would be like Austin covering itself in frosting and giving us a big hug. Now I’ll spend the rest of the day trying to get that visual out of my head.

Austin Chronicle Best of Austin 2010

Do you ever get hungry? Ever want to hang out with like-minded foodies and participate in a good cause? Yahtzee! Slow Food Texas Artisan Showcase this Saturday.

Slow Food Austin supports activities and education to preserve biodiversity in the food supply, spread the education of taste and connect producers of excellent foods with consumers through events and initiatives.

This Saturday’s event will have a who’s-who of our local favorites: (512) Brewing, Tipsy Texan, Fino, Zhi Tea, Owl Tree Roasting, Pure Luck, Antonelli’s Cheese Shop, Thunderheart Bison, Boggy Creek Farm, Green Gate Farms, Kocurek Family Charcuterie. To cap-off the event, Jesse from Dai Due will break down a half hog from Richardson Farms and the resulting cuts will be auctioned off. Yahtzee indeed.

Saturday, June 26th, 4-8pm : Space 12 3121 E. 12th Austin, TX
Click here to purchase tickets: $60 (55 for Slow Food Members).

Up for messing with some chickens? Head over to Boggy Creek for this month’s Slow Food Happy Hour. Beverages provided by The Tipsy Texan and Bill Norris of FINO. Farm snacks artfully prepared by Chef Jesse Bloom of Estatic Cuisine. $10 (or more if you are so moved) donation to Austin Slow Food.  Visit with your friends, walk the farm, and visit the Hen House! Please RSVP with Slow Food: karlal@slowfoodaustin.org