Second Helpings: Farm Stands & Farmer's Markets
Food editor Virginia B. Wood surveys Austin's farmer's markets.
Fri., Oct. 12, 2001
The weekly Chronicle feature "Second Helpings" offers readers the opportunity to sample tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results. This week's entries were updated by Chronicle Food editor Virginia B. Wood. When you need quick, reliable information about Austin eateries, check here.
Next week look for listings of farms that offer community supported agriculture (CSA) subscriptions.
Boggy Creek Farm
3414 Lyons Road 926-4650Wednesday & Saturday, 9am-2pm, year round
This five-acre East Austin market garden is located on an historic property dating back to the Texas revolutionary period. Farmers Larry Butler and Carol Ann Sayle are the current stewards of the land, producing organic vegetables, greens, fruits, herbs, flowers, and farm eggs. They also sell value-added products such as jams and jellies, hot sauce, award-winning self-published books, plus Pure Luck Texas goat cheese, and hormone and antibiotic-free meats.
Tecolote Farm
16301 Decker Lake Road 276-7008Sunday, noon to 5pm (May thru August)
The Pitres of Tecolote Farm are local proponents of community supported agriculture, which means they sell customers annual subscriptions for a share in the bounty of their organic harvest. The subscriber list is full at the moment, but an e-mail inquiry will get you on the waiting list for spring. It's also possible to purchase their organic vegetables at their weekly farmstand.
Angel Valley Farm
Wednesday, 10am-1pm, 11713 Jollyville Road, between Oak Knoll & Duval, 267-2785Saturday, 10am-2pm at 10804 Ridgeway, off 1431 in Jonestown
Angel Valley farmers Jo and John Dwyer farm near Leander and sell their organic produce at farm stands in Austin and Jonestown. Look for them in front of the Asian-American Cultural Center on Jollyville Road and in front of Tres Chic in Jonestown. They'll be selling seasonal organic vegetables, greens, and herbs.
Pure Luck Organics & AA Goat Dairy
101 Twin Oaks Trail in Dripping Springs 512/858-7034Saturday-Sunday, 9am-5pm, year round
Just a short drive away outside Dripping Springs, Pure Luck is the home of award-winning farmstead goat cheeses and a family organic farm. Denny and Sara Bolton operate their farm stand on weekends, selling their great cheeses, seasonal vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers.
Austin's Historic Farmer's Market
6701 Burnet Rd., 454-1002Daily, 9am-6pm
The produce available here is sold mostly by peddlers rather than growers. The market imports specialty seasonal items such as fresh roasted Hatch chilies in September, a massive load of pumpkins every October, and Christmas trees. Also: antiques, restaurants, plant nursery, and barbecue.
South Austin Farmer's Market
2901 S. Congress (El Gallo parking lot)Saturday, 9am-1pm, year round
The small but loyal band of mostly organic farmers who sell at this longtime weekly market will be there rain or shine, heat or snow. Seasonal fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers plus occasional value-added products such as jams and jellies.
Westlake Farmer's Market
4100 Westbank Drive in the Westlake High School parking lotSaturday, 10am-1pm
This market is open year round (except for Oct. 13 this year) and offers seasonal fruits, vegetables, greens, and herbs sold by the farmers who grew them. Vendors also sell breads, pastries, cheeses, pasta, salsas, hormone, and antibiotic-free meats.
Lakeway Farmer's Market
1718 Lohmann's Crossing in the Emmaus Catholic Church parking lotTuesday, 3-6pm
Look for this market to reopen Oct. 16 and run at least through Thanksgiving, possibly longer depending on the weather. They'll have seasonal vegetables, fruits, greens, and herbs sold by growers only. There are occasional other vendors, as well.
Armadillo Farmer's Market
301 W. Riverside Drive in the Threadgill's parking lotWednesday, 3-6pm
Just follow the brightly painted signs outside Threadgill's to this market set up in the parking lot weekly from April through Thanksgiving. Growers will be selling their own seasonal vegetables, fruits, greens, and herbs. Some vendors, too.
