Howdy and thank you for your interest in the Texas Center for Local Food (TCLF),
Like many organizations and families, 2025 was a year of motion for TCLF. Our nimble, committed team rolled with the punches of Federal funding cuts, which resulted in a 57% budget reduction. Thankfully we already operate as a lean, focused team, and in 2026 we’re more laser-focused on our mission: to build food systems in Texas that strengthen farmers’ profitability, so they continue feeding our communities for years to come. Listen closely in 2026, when you’ll hear from us about buying more from Texas farms.
Our biggest cuts were funding to support SNAP access at farmers markets, technical assistance and direct grants through USDA’s Delta Regional Food Business Center in Eastern Texas, and our 9-year Farm-to-Kids Texas after-school program in Elgin. We are grateful to our former Farmers Market Services staff — Susan Barker and Anna Wright Smith — who, even after learning their positions would end, leaned fully into the work and left markets well-equipped to continue SNAP access. We also extend sincere thanks to Anna Marie Rosenlieb, who designed and led the Farm-to-Kids program, and Barbie Reyes, who carried it through its final year.
A year of motion, indeed.
Our capable team epitomizes resilience. Although there are fewer of us, we are 100% committed to building local food systems that serve all Texans. We hold our sadness along with our joy and yes, our optimism.
Our optimism comes from you – the people who care about Texas family farms and ensuring every Texan has access to fresh, locally grown food. We are expanding our Directory, serving more beginning and aspiring farmers through our fabulous online learning platform TXFED.org, and revamping our Farm Business Services to focus on farmers’ financial health.
Did I mention I was supposed to semi-retire in 2025? Thank you, St. David’s Foundation, for the foresight to fund our leadership transition and deepen our financial and administrative capacity.
I’ll try again for semi-retirement this year.
I extend my deepest gratitude to our entire team, key partners, and many collaborators – and of course, our beloved donors. We emerged from the challenges of 2025 stronger, with greater clarity and more community support.
Moving forward… together,
Sue Beckwith
Executive Director
