Austin Farmers Markets to Visit During Fall 2017

Given its reputation as one of the more health-conscious, sustainability-minded cities in the region, it is hardly surprising that Austin is home to two of the country’s most highly-regarded farmers markets. In addition to first-rate produce and other foodstuffs, several Austin farmers markets are enhanced by live music and other entertainment. If you’re looking for a new source of fresh produce and artisan foodstuffs, check out these uniquely Austin farmers markets and farm stands.

Barton Creek Farmers Market

This year-round farmers market is Austin’s oldest and longest-running. Every week, dozens of vendors sell fresh seasonal produce, prepared meals and snacks, artisan dressings and sauces, and gifts. Handcrafted jewelry, clothing, candles, soaps, art, and rare books are all in the mix as well. Live music, children’s entertainment, and special events make this weekly event a family-friendly affair. Impressive views of Austin’s skyline from Barton Creek Square Mall are another perk. The Barton Creek Farmers Market operates weekly on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. It’s a 10-minute drive from AMLI Downtown and AMLI on 2nd.

Boggy Creek Farm

East Austin’s first farm sells some of the freshest produce in town. Everything is grown either on-site or at farms in Milam County, 75 miles northeast of Austin. The Boggy Creek farmers market is open from 8am to 1pm, Wednesdays through Saturdays. It’s less than 10 minutes’ drive from AMLI Eastside and AMLI at Mueller.

Green Gate Farms

This farm stand is an oasis of fresh, organic produce in the midst of a vast food desert. Green Gate Farms also sells a variety of locally sourced meats. The selection is not as large as that at your average farmers market, but Green Gate Farms’ groceries are as fresh as it gets. This East Austin farm market is open Tuesdays from 3-6pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-2pm.

HOPE Farmers Market

HOPE Farmers Market strives to raise awareness around the importance of sustainable farming and healthy eating. The HOPE FM-sponsored market offers small business mentoring programs designed to help local farmers and artisan food producers thrive. These initiatives contribute to the market’s 26th-place ranking on a Daily Meal list of the nation’s best farmers markets. HOPE Farmers Market’s diverse selection of food, artisans, artists, and music also help. This industry-leading market is held Sundays from 11am to 3pm in Austin’s Plaza Saltillo, a 15-minute walk from AMLI Eastside.

Springdale Farm

Another sustainable urban farming hub, this East Austin farm operates a farm stand from 9am to 1pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The stand is usually stocked with responsibly-grown seasonal produce, eggs, jams, and other artisanal foodstuffs. Springdale Farm is less than 10 minutes’ drive from AMLI Eastside and AMLI at Mueller.

Sustainable Food Center (SFC) Farmers Market Downtown

The Sustainable Food Center hosts three weekly farmers markets and several community farm stands. Together, the markets and farm stands host more local farmers than anywhere else in Austin. SFC’s downtown Austin farmers market ranks 31st in the nation on The Daily Meal‘s list. The year-round market, open Saturdays from 9am to 1pm, is a five-minute walk from AMLI’s downtown Austin apartments. SFC’s market at The Triangle is open Wednesdays from 3-7pm until October 25. After that, it will close for good. SFC’s other market, in Sunset Valley, is also open year-round on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.

Texas Farmers Market at Mueller

Billed as a “festival of foods,” the Texas Farmers Market at Mueller has been voted Austin’s best three years running by Austin Chronicle readers. The market sells all the fresh produce you’d expect from a farmers market. But the specialty foods sold weekly in the Browning Hangar market are what really distinguish this market from many others. You can get everything you need to throw a dinner party in your apartment and more at the Mueller market. Edible highlights include fine cheeses and meats, handmade pasta, and artisanal olive oil. This family-friendly, pet-friendly affair is is a 10-minute walk through Mueller Lake Park from AMLI at Mueller. The Mueller market is held, rain or shine, Sundays from 10am to 2pm. The organization also hosts the pet-friendly Texas Farmers Market at Lakeline on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm in the Lakeline Mall parking lot.