Shop Local at Austin’s 5 Best Farmers Markets
As summer wraps up, farmers and vendors have ripe produce and homemade goods ready for the taking
I’ve never been a health nut. But, whenever I’m at a farmers market, something comes over me and all of a sudden, I’m buying every piece of produce in sight, brainstorming my kale-covered meals for the next month and plotting to make my own almond milk at home. Living in Austin has afforded me the ability to choose when I want to turn into a health guru, unlike Los Angeles, where you are silently shamed for even looking at a donut.
Lucky for me, Austin welcomes food cravings of any shape or size. Whether you’re looking for locally-grown produce, poultry, honey or homemade goods, the Austin farmers market scene has what you’re searching for. Without further ado, I present the top five markets you need in your life before summer comes to a close.
Barton Creek
Saturday 9am – 1pm
Situated in the back parking lot of Barton Creek Mall, this market is easily accessible for those who live near South Austin, West Lake, Rollingwood, or Bee Cave. Farms like Johnson’s Backyard Garden, a local Austin vegetable garden, and Richardson Farms, who provide pastured poultry, beef and pork, rotate from market to market so you can expect to find them at other markets around town, too. Meeting the people who grow the food you’re buying and eating feels empowering and is something I recommend trying. Go ahead and pick up some fun-flavored olive oil, vegan bakery items or a fresh loaf of bread made by a friendly face.
SFC Farmers Market at Sunset Valley
Saturday 9am – 1pm
The Sustainable Food Center offers two markets every week. The Sunset Valley Market has hundreds of loyal customers, farmers and artisans coming in every Saturday to shop and sell. Aside from produce and meats, you can expect to find jewelry, ceramics, coffee, paintings and body products here. Johnson’s Backyard Garden, Richardson Farms and Austin Honey Company are here weekly.
SFC Farmers Market Downtown
Saturday 9am – 1pm
The second SFC market has been located in the middle of downtown Austin since 2003. Republic Square Park is home to weekly yoga events, casual workday breaks and serves as a perfect spot to picnic and listen to live music before or after you shop. Come for the fresh produce and stay for the music and community. SFC was founded in 1993 to provide the community with healthy choices and sustainable products. They even offer interactive cooking classes and nutritional education as a way to get community members more engaged and educated on the food we’re putting into our bodies.
Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller
Sunday 10 am – 2 pm
The Mueller farmers market has been a local favorite for a long time, so much so that they’ve added a Wednesday evening market to the mix! This is the perfect spot to pick up some fresh food to power through the rest of the work week. The market offers almost everything under the sun. From Indian food to soy candles, hard cider to honey wine, it’s like a candy store for adults.
Soco Makers Market
Friday & Saturday 10 am – 6 pm
Sundays 1:30 pm – 6pm
Located on Austin’s most well-known street, South Congress Avenue, Soco Makers Market isn’t your average farmers market. There are over 40 vendors who sell their products every weekend. Mostly hand-made items such as jewelry, art, leather goods, henna and natural beauty products make up the bulk of this enticing shopping experience. Steps away from seemingly endless restaurants, vintage stores and coffee shops it’s easy to make a day out of visiting this market.
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