Downtown farmers’ market (Credit: Lars Plougman via Flickr CC)
If you haven’t explored the generous selection of robust Austin farmers’ markets, you’re missing out on a fantastic collection of veggies and vibes. From North Austin to old Austin, from rural farms to urban farm stands, our city offers some of the most unique and exciting ways to eat seasonally and locally throughout the year.
There’s no better time than now to get out to one of these local markets and find farm-fresh food and artisanal vendors to entice your pallet and spruce up your dinner table. With choices all over the city, there’s likely to be a market right around the corner from you. But don’t limit yourself to just one. Visit all of these delicious farmers’ markets to put the fresh in Austin.
1/ Barton Creek Farmers’ Market
Colorful beets at the Barton Creek Farmers’ Market
Barton Creek Farmers’ Market is marking its 18th year in Austin. It was cool long before farmers’ markets were a thing. This is one of the oldest- and longest-running markets in Austin.
The scene has definitely changed over the years. What used to be a subtle and quaint setup at the back of the Barton Creek Square Mall parking lot has grown into a vibrant and lively scene, offering both farm-fresh ingredients and artisanal ready-to-eat foods, prepared by local vendors.
Barton Creek has enjoyed national recognition as one of the top five farmers’ markets in the country, by “Eating Well” magazine. What makes this market stand out is the abundant selection. If you’re looking for plenty of choices, this is the place to be.
Saturday – 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy – Website
2-5/ Sustainable Food Center
Freshly baked from Texas French Bread
Austin’s Sustainable Food Center is more than a farmers’ market, which is saying something considering they organize four weekly markets all over the city. The North Austin farmers’ market at The Triangle hosts the greatest volume of Austinites, second only to the amazing downtown market. The east location is no less impressive, if a bit more intimate. The South Austin location in Sunset Valley is your fourth option from Sustainable Food Center.
Visit the downtown market to check out the delectable and creative cuisine of Texas French Bread, whose representative Jack enticed me into trying a succulent breakfast bread filled with fruits and nuts. He told me it wouldn’t last long, and he didn’t lie.
On a Saturday afternoon when I ventured out to as many markets as I could, I was surprised by the smallest of the four, the Sunset Valley market, where I had the most fun. I may be a bit obsessed with undiscovered local music. It was here that I found a local group of folk musicians playing beautifully lilting tunes, despite the blustery winds.
Ley Line, a local folk band, keeps Austinites listening easy at the Sunset Valley market
This is what I love about the Sustainable Food Center markets. They do an incredible job of creating an atmosphere of music, fun and community to accompany the delicious selection of meat, fruits, veggies and hand-crafted foods.
You don’t have to be a foodie to enjoy this local and organic approach to grocery shopping. If you’re looking for a way to get out in the community and enjoy the fresh Austin atmosphere, here are the four weekly markets from Sustainable Food Center:
- East: Tuesday – 3-7 p.m. – 2921 E. 17th St. – Website
- The Triangle: Wednesday – 3-7 p.m. – 4660 Triangle Ave. – Website
- Sunset Valley: Saturday – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – 3200 Jones Road – Website
- Downtown: Saturday – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – 422 Guadalupe St. – Website
6/ HOPE Farmers’ Market
Veggies at East Austin’s HOPE Farmers’ Market
HOPE Farmers’ Market is like a farming love affair. You’ll rarely come across a group of people more passionate about food. Sustaining it. Growing it. Eating it. Celebrating it.
Here you’ll find everything you might expect from a farmers’ market in East Austin. Music from an 84-year-old accordion master to a young break-dancing prodigy, from tooting horns to Texas country guitar, create an ambiance that somehow goes perfectly with creating the week’s dinner menus.
HOPE specializes in the small farmer. Urban vendors source every kind of vegetable you can imagine, making you wonder how Austinites can grow such abundance alongside Mopac traffic.
The HOPE Farmers’ Market is one of those events you should walk to if you can. Catch the sound of kids laughing or music playing as you decide which ingredients should adorn your dinner table this week. Whatever you do, just get there.
Sunday – 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
412 Comal St. – Website
7/ Boggy Creek Farm Stand
Don’t let the no-dogs rule keep you from visiting Boggy Creek Farm Stand
Boggy Creek Farm represents the best of Austin’s urban, farm-fresh food. There are more than one of these hidden neighborhood farms, but Boggy Creek has to be the most outstanding. You’d never expect to stroll upon Austin’s original urban farm if you were walking through the neighborhood, unless you happened to glance to the side and see the acre or so of sprouting fresh kale and turnips.
Owners Carol Ann Sayle and Larry Butler are native Texans who have proudly worked their land since 1992. Get to their farm stand early enough to snag some of Butler’s famous smoked tomatoes in a jar. I can personally vouch for their excellence.
In April, Boggy Creek will be one of four East Austin urban farms featured in the 6th Annual East Austin Urban Farm Tour. Don’t miss it!
Wednesday through Saturday – 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
3414 Lyons Road – Website
8-9/ Texas Farmers’ Market
View from above at Texas Farmers’ Market at Lakeline Mall (Credit: Jo Ann Santangelo)
Texas Farmers’ Market is the best of everything you’d hope for in a farmers’ market. Combining fantastic local ingredients with a rigorous standard of quality, Texas Farmers’ Market not only brings a great event to the Austin community, but they go above and beyond to provide community resources like education.
At both their Lakeline and Mueller locations, Texas Farmers’ Market provides monthly food preservation demonstrations, helping you stay healthy throughout the year. If you’re like me, you’re probably already behind on your New Year’s resolution. Now’s the time to pick up a new one, guilt-free. Get to Texas Farmers’ Market and learn how to can your own food.
Texas Farmers’ Market officials personally inspect each vendor, to ensure all the ingredients are fresh and local. If you’re shopping at one of these markets, you can be sure you’re getting the absolute best.
Coming up next month, enjoy a Valentine’s Day special when a chef will demonstrate an oyster bake. Hello, aphrodisiac!
Two locations:
- Lakeline: Saturday – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – 11200 Lakeline Mall Dr. – Website
- Mueller: Sunday – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – 4550 Mueller Blvd. – Website
Now is the time to get out there and enjoy these nine Austin farmers’ markets. Feel free to start anywhere because you can’t go wrong!
@ATXtherapist wants to know:
Which is your favorite Austin farmers’ market?
I regularly go to the Sustainable Food Center market on Tuesdays. Here’s a note on the times: during the winter months, the EAST market closes up at 6PM and not 7PM. That’s at least through the month of February. Another FYI: you can sign up for all kinds of food-related and cooking classes at the Sustainable Food Center. My sweetie and I are currently taking the class on home butchery (cutting your own meat). Check them out; they make a great date night activity.