Editor's note: CultureMap is committed to shining a light on Austin-area nonprofits and their impact on our community. So, we're launching the first-ever CultureMap Austin Charity Challenge, highlighting deserving local organizations — one of which will become our charity partner for 2016 based on readers' votes. Get to know one of our eight finalists, Sustainable Food Center.

Since 1993, Austin's Sustainable Food Center (SFC) has provided resources and education to strengthen the local food system and provide access to healthy foods for all. Evolving from its 1975 roots as Austin Community Garden, SFC envisions a healthy future where every adult and child can grow, share, and prepare foods from their own garden.

With programs like Grow Local, which supports home, school, and community gardens through education and training, and the Farm Direct program, which connects local farmers to schools and residents to enrich the economy while keeping families healthy, SFC is a pillar of the Austin food community.

SFC hosts four of the largest farmers markets in Texas, all located in Austin. These markets host more farmers than anywhere else in Austin and are open rain or shine every week, year-round. In addition to vendors offering up fresh, locally grown foods, the markets feature live music, flowers, hand-crafted goods, and more. True to its vision of an empowered, inclusive community of healthy eaters, SNAP and WIC benefits are accepted at the markets.

Donations to SFC help cultivate a community of healthy gardeners and cooks in the Austin area.

Vote now for Sustainable Food Center — or any of the other worthy local nonprofits — in the CultureMap Charity Challenge running through December 30. A winner will be announced January 5, 2016, and will receive a CultureMap advertising package worth $10,000.