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In Case You Hadn't Noticed: New Farmers' Markets Popping Up Everywhere
There are a few new farmers' markets in town to check out. The first is Truck Farm Farmers' Market, which opened about two months ago on the corner of Bee Cave and 360, alongside that flock of plastic pink flamingos (aka The Pots and Plants Garden Center). It's open on Thursdays from 3-7pm and 1-5pm on Sundays, and has a nice set-up of decks and wood walkways underneath oak trees and umbrellas. There are also tables covered with white tablecloths at which you can enjoy your newly purchased goods. Many of the usual vendors are there: Hillside Farms, Green Valley Produce, CKC Farms, Bastrop Cattle Co., Taco Deli and more.
HOPE Farmers' Market is the newest market on the east side. Located at 414 Waller St., HOPE is a project of the Helping Other People Everywhere campaign developed by HOPE Events Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit focused on "involving artists and their contributions in campaigns, programs and events to support existing social projects that promote education and peace around the world." As such, the farmers' market conceives itself not only as a gathering space for farmers and the community, but also as a platform to introduce residents to area farms, healthy lifestyle companies, artistic education and volunteer programs. HOPE is open on Sundays from 11am-3pm; you can view the list of vendors here.
Back in November, the Statesman reported that the former Sunset Valley Farmers' Market would be moving from its location at the Toney Burger Activity Center. The land is owned by the Austin Independent School District, who decided not to renew the market's lease because "of the potential for scheduling conflicts and the need to make sure the facility is available for students and stakeholders." In March, many of the vendors from the SVF market relocated to the northeast corner of the Barton Creek Mall parking lot. Now called the Barton Creek Farmers Market, it has many of the same goods and the same fair-like vibe that made the SFV market a two-time "Best Farmers Market" winner in the Austin Chronicle's Readers Poll. The hours are 9am-1pm on Saturdays, and you can check out their website for a list of vendors, special offers, and to see what's in season.
After it became clear that the Sunset Valley market would be moving, a lease application was submitted by the Sustainable Food Center, which also operates the downtown market on Saturdays and the one in the Triangle on Wednesdays. Some of the vendors at those markets now additionally ply their trade at the new market, which opened in April, and many of the vendors at the old Sunset Valley market decided to stay. The result is the SFC Farmers' Market at Sunset Valley, open from 9am-1pm on Saturdays. There are over 50 vendors at the market now, putting them near the number before the split.
We encourage you to support local farmers and vendors, so check out these new markets and keep shopping at the old favorites. The sooner, the better: those 100 degree days are coming soon.
