Austin is dedicating nearly $300,000 to support a joint regional food system plan with Travis County, the initiative's first city funding since officials signed off on it last fall.

What's happening: The Austin/Travis County Food Plan, created with input from hundreds of area residents, is meant to tackle challenges with food access and production through dozens of strategies related to land use, climate response and community initiatives. City Council authorized a $282,000 contract with Woollard Nichols Torres Consulting in December to implement the plan.

The city's nearly three-year consulting contract will support one piece of that work, the creation of an "implementation collaborative" involving residents and other groups working toward food system goals. The collaborative is kicking off early next year and also expected to receive county funding.

The regional food planning effort was established as nearly 1 in 5 Austin households face food insecurity, or a lack of access to healthy and affordable food. That estimate is higher than the national average, and comes as local and federal funding for food support is dwindling.

IKEA has partnered with a handful of Best Buy locations across Texas to offer plan and order points, including in Southwest Austin. Here, customers can design their IKEA home space with “appliances designed for American preferences,” according to IKEA loyalty manager Natasha Vaughan-Johnson.

What they offer: The 1,000-foot IKEA showroom features model kitchens and laundry rooms. Customers can consult IKEA staff to help plan their space, as well as shop for appliances from Best Buy, such as refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, washers and dryers.

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