Farmers Market Report: June 8-9, 2013

The summer fruits and vegetables are arriving, yet there are a few remnants of spring (and even winter): Eggplant, tomatoes, blackberries, and peaches are coming in, but strawberries, rhubarb, beets, carrots, and even broccoli are still available here and there.

STAR Market at the Barton Creek Market has rhubarb side by side with peaches and blackberries; Braune Farm has broccoli, kale, red potatoes, and onions; and Fruitful Hill has lovely big eggplants, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, and potatoes. Fruitful Hill will be at both Barton Creek and Sunset Valley this Saturday.

A few farmers are beginning to bring in the first of the field-grown sweet peppers, too! I believe these beauties are from Fruitful Hill Farm.

Lettuce and salad greens are ending, however. It is just getting too hot. Lily Pad Farm aquaponics may still have lettuce, but even they are making the switch to summer herbs like basil and Italian parsley.

A few weeks ago I reported that the Ottmer Family of farms were hit very heavily by hail. Farmer Ottmer told me that there weren’t even any leaves left on the trees. All of their crops were destroyed, even the onions in the ground (because a little onion sticks out). I urged the public to make an effort to buy out the Ottmer table at Sunset Valley the following week, but due to a need to replant what they could, the Ottmers weren’t at the market the next few Saturdays. Now they are back! The Ottmers have beets, bean sprouts, yellow onions, and lots of chicken eggs (including pullet eggs, which are perfect or breakfast tacos, as they are smaller). Let’s all show them the love and favor their table this week! They are at Sunset Valley, usually in the longer row. Dewberry Hill Farm “Really Good Chicken” will be at the Downtown SFC Market in Republic Square ONLY this weekend. Who has the peaches and the blackberries? At Barton Creek, STAR, Caskey Orchard, and Hill Country Homestyle Canning all have Texas peaches; at Sunset Valley and Downtown, Lightsey Farms are the people to see. Caeda Farm, STAR, and Hill Country Homestyle Canning have the blackberries at Barton Creek Market; at Sunset Valley and Downtown, Lightsey’s will have them. I bought blackberries from several of the farmers last week, and I must say Lightsey’s were the sweetest. Sweet corn is still around this weekend, and can be purchased from Fruitful Hill Farm (Barton Creek and Sunset Valley), Two Happy Children Farm (Barton Creek and Cedar Park Markets), and Boggy Creek Farm on the East side. Confituras has a whole array of summery flavors: Nectarine Jam, Green Tomato Jam, Blackberry Jam, Summer Berry Preserves, and Lavender Lemon Sugar. Hot weather, for me, means time to switch from hot coffee, eggs and bacon, to iced coffee, yogurt, and granola. So I picked up a package of Dad’s Austin Manna last Saturday–Holy Cow, it has got to be the best granola on the planet. Toasted Texas pecans, toasted cashews, almonds, maple syrup, organic oats. It’s hard not to eat it all in the car on the way home from the market! Dai Due Butcher Shop is completely newsworthy this week, because they are going to have Chile Verde Sausage! ($12/lb.) Typically, this most popular product is only available twice a year when the cilantro and poblano seasons overlap. This fragrant, savory and versatile sausage is made from the very last of the cilantro (Tecolote Farm) and the first of the season poblano peppers (JBG) with fresh oregano, garlic, and jalapeños mixed in. 

Dai Due will also have Pimento Cheese ($7), Fresh Herb Italian Sausage ($12/lb.), and Green Tomato Chow-Chow ($8).

Other Exciting News: Urban Roots, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, and the Sustainable Food Center have partnered to bring a farm stand to the Dove Springs neighborhood. The Farmstand will run every Wednesday from June 5 through July 17, from 9am-noon at the Dove Springs Recreation Center. The popular (and helpful!) Double Dollar Incentive Program will be available for all shoppers using a SNAP card. Families eligible for WIC benefits can also pick up a $20 packet of Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) vouchers at the farm stand.

Johnson’s Backyard Garden will be holding a Pick-Your-Own-Tomatoes event on Saturday, June 8, from 8:30 to 11:30 am. For $20, attendees will be able to pick up to 15 pounds of ripe tomatoes (more than enough to make marinara for the year). Just go out to the farm at 4008 River Road, Cedar Creek, TX 78612. For more information click here.

See you at the Market!