Austin Harvest - By The Hand Club For Kids

Austin Harvest grew out of a desire for youth to lead the way for positive community change. In the summer of 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 crisis and social justice movement, By The Hand Club youth gathered in healing circles with local police and athletes to process injustice and violence and brainstorm how to create change in their community. Recognizing their neighborhood had substantially more liquor stores than grocery stores, students identified an opportunity to bring fresh produce to local residents. In less than two months, Austin Harvest opened on the site of a looted liquor store. The mission-driven market is entirely student-led, with 15 student entrepreneurs responsible for all aspects of operations including planning, staffing, ordering and inventory management. All revenue generated at the fresh market is invested back into its operations and student stipends. Austin Harvest fills a significant need in a food desert. Originally intended as a single-season pop-up, students were determined to make it a long-term food solution.