If you’re looking for some fresh, locally grown produce, meat, and dairy in Austin, it’s not too difficult. You just have to know where to find one of the many farmers market around the city. With all the markets that have been popping up lately, we decided to spend the weekend exploring them for some fresh breads, fruits, veggies, meats and dairy, so we could highlight some of the “do not miss” markets.
Below is our selection, created after much hard work, research, and delicious sampling!. Each market selected provides a unique set of vendors as well as a home-grown Austin experience.
So, if you live here or are just visiting, be sure you get out to one of these wonderful markets to shop local and fill your fridge with some fresh goodies, all while supporting area farmers who work hard to keep things fresh and local year-round.
HOPE FARMERS MARKET
Times: Sunday 11am–3pm
Location: Plaza Saltillo @ 5th and Comal
The HOPE Farmers Market engages the community in activating culturally significant spaces in East Austin while supporting a regional food system, celebrating local culture and increasing awareness of and access to healthy food.
The Sunday market is a weekly showcase, featuring a diverse selection of farmers, food artisans & artists, educational programming, community outreach and great live music. HOPE FM encourages collaboration and mentorship among its contributors, and also provides resources and opportunities to help grow small businesses and lay the foundation for the development of a vibrant local economy.
The Sunday market is the longest operating market in East Austin and was voted “Best Farmers Market” by the Austin Chronicle in 2012. A list of Hope Farmers Market vendors can be found here: http://hopefarmersmarket.org/vendors
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MUELLER FARMERS MARKET
Times: Sunday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: 4550 Mueller Blvd., 78723, at the Browning Hangar Austin, Texas 78723
Mueller Farmers’ Market is at Mueller’s historic Browning Hangar off Airport Boulevard. Over 40 Texas vendors sell local seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods and specialty foods every Sunday from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Mueller Farmers Market is operated by F2M Texas, a non-profit corporation seeking to provide Texas farmers and ranchers with beneficial direct-marketing opportunities and provide citizens in Central Texas communities with a wide variety of locally-produced foods in convenient locations. In addition, the corporation seeks to educate the public about nutritional, economic, environmental, and social implications of eating seasonally and locally. List of Mueller Farmers Market vendors.
CEDAR PARK FARMERS MARKET
Times: Saturdays 9:00am – 1:00pm
Location: 11200 Lakeline Mall Dr, Cedar Park, TX
CPFM host 70+ vendors offering locally grown and raised produce, meats, dairy, artisan foods and products from Texas producers.
They also have live music entertainment, food samples, sangria and mimosas by the glass, jewelers, unique wares and much more.
F2M Texas also operates the Cedar Park Farmers Market, voted American Farmland Trust’s “Favorite Farmers Market in Texas” in 2010 and named as one of the “Top 20 Favorite Large Farmers Markets in the U.S.” in 2011. A list of Cedar Park Farmers Market vendors can be found here: http://texasfarmersmarket.org/vendor-information/vendor-list
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SFC Farmers Markets Downtown
Times: Saturday 9am — 1pm
Location: 400 West Guadalupe Street— Republic Square Park
The state’s largest farmer’s market, SFC Downtown features over 100 participating farmers and food purveyors ranging from artisan cheese and freshly baked goods to honey, artisan chocolates and an impressive selection of farm fresh produce, pastured eggs and meats. Plenty of options for ordering breakfast and lunch from vendors cooking right at the market. Stop by Saturday mornings year round for fresh produce, handmade goods, and more! A great community of local purveyors and shoppers.
SFC Farmers Markets Sunset Valley
Times: Saturday 9am — 1pm
Location: 3200 Jones Rd — Toney Burger Center
The SFC Farmers’ Market at Sunset Valley is part of the largest farmers’ market network in the state, and is open every Saturday year-round! Located at the Toney Burger Center, they offer a double-dollar incentive program to help you buy more fruits and vegetables, and have an attached artisan market in which you can buy crafts and handmade goods.
SFC Farmers Markets The Triangle
Times: Wednesday 3pm — 7pm
Location: 4600 Lamar Blvd — Triangle Park
Open Wednesdays year-round, The Triangle Farmers’ Market is part of the SFC group of markets. They have free parking and have a huge range of farmers, food artisans, and other vendors.
SFC Farmers Markets East
Times: Tuesday 3pm — 7pm
Location: 2835 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd — MLK & Miriam Ave
Open Tuesdays year-round, the SFC East Farmers’ Market offers a wide range of vendors, free parking, and a double-dollar fruit and vegetable incentive program.
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BARTON CREEK FARMERS MARKET
Times: Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Barton Creek Square mall parking lot at the intersection of S. Loop 1 (Mopac) and S. Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360).
About: The Barton Creek Farmers Market features local growers of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, plants, flowers, herbs and artisan cheese makers. The local ranchers bring antibiotic and hormone free chicken, beef, lamb, goat, pork, bison and fresh fish to the market. The meats are grass fed and grass finished, unlike the grocery store meats that may be labelled grass-fed but usually is fattened up on grains, thus not grass finished. The market carries organic pasture raised eggs, low temperature, non-homogenized milk, raw cheeses, delicious yogurt, probiotic vegetables. You can also find freshly milled flour and cornmeal from Richardson Farms grains! A list of Barton Creek Farmers Market Vendors can be found here: http://www.bartoncreekfarmersmarket.org/vendors/vendors-farmers/
HIGHLAND MALL FARMERS MARKET
Times: Sunday 10:00am to 2:00pm every
Location:Highland Mall parking lot at 6001 Airport Blvd.
About:The same team that brings you the Barton Creek Farmer’s Market brings you the Highland Mall Farmer’s Market.
Buy local organic produce, meats, dairy, artisanal foods and shop local artisans selling handmade jewelry, soaps, candles, art and more every Sunday in the Highland Mall parking lot. Live music every weekend.
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If you are looking to get your produce straight from the farm and don’t mind getting a little dirty then check out some of the volunteer programs at theses local farms.
Johnson’s Backyard Garden: Half-Day of Volunteering = One Share of Veggies
Urban Roots: Weekly Volunteer Mornings
Spingdale Farms: Market Days
Boggy Creek Farms: Market Days
Green Gate Farms: Market Days