Sip and snack for a good cause.
By Lindsey Logan, Photo courtesy of Giant Noise
Break out your best white summer ensemble because Saturday, Second Street District is hosting its seventh annual White Linen Night. The culinary event of the summer, the block party showcases menu offerings from 15 notable Austin restaurants while benefiting local nonprofits. There will be sample bites and sips from a variety of participants, including La Condesa, Taverna and Second Bar + Kitchen, plus live music performed by rhythm and blues singer/songwriter Tje Austin.
Alex Westermann, Amli’s regional marketing coordinator, who oversees Second Street District, is dedicated to managing the event logistics and securing event sponsors in an effort to foster community while raising revenue to support local nonprofits. This year’s goal is to raise $35,000 for Austin Food & Wine Alliance and Farmshare Austin. These two nonprofits are instrumental in supporting the growth and development of culinary and farming industries in Central Texas.
Farmshare Austin has a mission to grow a healthy local food community by teaching the next generation of farmers, increasing food access and preserving farmland.
“The support we receive from White Linen Night will go directly into our programs,” Executive Director Andrea Abel says. “We’ll buy seeds to put in our fields, we’ll buy compost to nourish our soil and then the food we grow goes directly to our food-access programs in the community to make sure as many people as possible have access to fresh, healthy, delicious, peak-of-season produce.”
Also a beneficiary, Austin Food & Wine Alliance is on a mission to acknowledge and advance the Central Texas culinary community through its educational programs, grants and events. A portion of the proceeds from White Linen Night will be split between funding a grant and supporting programs for high-school students interested in culinary arts.
Mariam Parker, executive director of Austin Food & Wine Alliance, says she always looks forward to the music and bites at the event.
“It’s not very often you get the chance to have a block party in the middle of downtown Austin,” Parker says. “We are just so thankful to have the support of Second Street District and look forward to the event.”