Fruits and vegetables might not melt in your mouth like chocolate, but those purchased from farmers markets usually come so close they’ll make you want to hug a farmer. So why resist the urge? Summer is here and the markets are out in full swing, filled with local agriculturalists peddling fresh homegrown wonderfulness.
And for those months outside of the summer, most of these markets are open year-round. Added bonus: most of them are open rain or shine, giving you some outdoor activity options on those drizzly days when you want to show off your raincoat.
With these 13 different farmers markets throughout the greater Austin area, just think—you could hug a different farmer every day of the week!
1. Barton Creek Farmers Market
Photo: Flickr user Steve Snodgrass, CC licensed
2017 marks the 20th year for the Barton Creek Farmers Market, which started in the Whole Foods parking lot in 1997. Known for its impossibly rich variety of live music and vendors, the year-round market used to run every Saturday and Sunday at two different locations, but they’ve since slimmed down their operation to Saturdays only.
Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m at Barton Creek Square Mall (S. Loop 1 & and S. Capital of Texas Highway)
2. HOPE Farmers Market
Photo: Flickr user David Slack, CC licensed
HOPE Farmers Market is brought to you by the same folks who created HOPE Outdoor Gallery, that three-story graffiti wonder at 11th & Baylor. Held every Sunday at E. 5th & Comal, the market is the longest farmers market native to East Austin. Beyond veggies, expect food trucks, art vendors, educational and community-centered programming, and of course, live music.
Sundays: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at E 5th & Comal
3. Lone Star Farmers Market
Photo: Flickr user eflon, CC licensed
Every week, Lone Star Farmers Market at Bee Cave features 50+ vendors, live music, kid-friendly activities, a varied sample tent, a market basket giveaway, knife-sharpening, and (on the first Sunday of every month) yoga. Even better news for dog lovers: pets are welcome!
Sundays: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Shops at the Galleria (12611 Shops Pkwy)
4. Texas Farmers Market
Photo: Flickr user liz west, CC licensed
The Texas Farmers Market is made up of what are commonly called the “Mueller Farmers Market” and the “Cedar Park Farmers Market.” TFM at Mueller runs on Sundays and was voted Austin’s favorite farmers market in Austin Chronicle‘s 2014 and 2015 polls. The Lakeline operation that runs on Saturdays has grown to feature over 80 vendors. Both markets are dog-friendly and offer a variety of activities and non-edible items in addition to glorious fresh produce.
Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Lakeline Mall (11200 Lakeline Mall Dr)
Sundays: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Browning Hangar (4550 Mueller Blvd)
5. Green Gate Farm Stand
Photo: Flickr user Heather Vescent, CC licensed
Green Gate Farm Stand sells fresh produce out of their mobile Farm Rover at 8310 Canoga Avenue on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between March and December. They welcome special “walk-in” orders — just tell ’em what you need — and they even give farm tours on Saturdays at 12:00 p.m. Sweet!
Tuesdays: 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Fridays: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
6. SFC Farmers’ Market
The SFC Farmers’ Market held downtown attracts the masses on market days. Photo: Flickr user Tim Lucas, creative commons licensed
The SFC Farmers’ Market hosts more than 100 vendors between its four locations, including farmers, growers, and artisans of all types. SFC stands for “Sustainable Food Center,” which is an Austin-based non-profit dedicated to connecting Austinites with healthy foods and eating habits. In addition to fresh produce and artisan wares, SFC markets include interactive cooking classes and other educational programs.
Wednesdays: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Triangle Park (4600 Triangle Ave)
Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Republic Square Park (422 Guadalupe St) and Toney Burger Center (3200 Jones Rd)
7. Pflugerville Pfarmers Market
Texas peaches are a local favorite. Photo: Flickr user Counse, CC licensed
Held in Pflugerville on every Tuesday between May 2 and October 31 this season, the Pflugerville Pfarmers Market is a community-minded market providing pfarm-loving Austinites with fresh melons, peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, free-range meats, jarred salsas and jams, honey, and artisan foods and crafts.
Tuesdays: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Green Red Barn at Heritage Park (901 Old Austin-Hutto Rd)
8. Georgetown Farmers Market
Photo: Flickr user Whitney, CC licensed
The Georgetown Farmers Market will soon run at five different locations and times year-round: Sun City on Tuesdays, Georgetown on Thursdays, and Round Rock on Saturdays, with a Cedar Park market opening soon on Wednesdays and Sundays. The market has been serving the greater Austin area for a whopping 30 years, offering a regular supply of eggs, honey, beef, pork, pecans, and other food and non-edible products, as well as a wide assortment of seasonal goods.
Tuesdays: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Sun City Social Center (2 Texas Dr)
Thursdays: 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Republic Square Center (900 N Austin Ave)
Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at University Oaks Center (201 University Oaks Blvd)
9. Boggy Creek Farm Stand
Photo: Flickr user Shilad Sen, CC licensed
Held at 3414 Lyons Road since 1992, the Boggy Creek Farm Stand is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Currently, Boggy Creek is advertising its strawberries, but you can buy “hyper-fresh” in-season veggies and fruits year-round at this popular farm stand.
Wednesdays: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Thursdays: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Fridays: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
*during August the farm stand is only open on Wednesdays and Saturdays
10. Springdale Farm Market
Photo: Flickr user Counse, CC licensed
Springdale Farm‘s market days are Wednesdays and Saturdays at 755 Springdale Road. The shop is indoors, making this a perfect venue to visit on a warm summer afternoon. You can find a variety of produce, depending on the season, which they list on their website so you can plan ahead. They also sell chicken and duck eggs and fruit preserves!
Wednesdays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
11. Hutto CO-OP Market Nights
Photo: Flickr user Jeremy Keith, CC licensed
Formerly known as “Hutto Farmers Market,” The City of Hutto’s CO-OP Market Nights runs through two seasons on Wednesday nights at open-air event venue The Gin at the Co-Op District. The market features two different “seasons” that run through spring and summer, according to produce and other products available during those times. Expect live music, educational sessions, grass-fed beef, farm produce, and artisan food and non-food products.
Wednesdays: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Gin at the Co-Op District (420 US 79)
12. Wolf Ranch Farmers Market
Photo: Flickr user Robert Couse-Baker, CC licensed
On 52 Saturdays each year, Wolf Ranch Farmers Market plants its stalwart rain-or-shine self in Georgetown’s Wolf Ranch shopping center at 1015 W. University Ave., featuring roughly 40 vendors of all types.
Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Wolf Ranch Shopping Center (1015 W University Dr)
13. Downtown Buda Farmers Market
Photo: Flickr user liz west, CC licensed
Held across the street from Garcia’s on Main Street, Downtown Buda Farmers Market is a small-scale operation, but that doesn’t stop it from providing a wide variety of produce, other local goods, and even live music to shoppers. Recently, DBFM added a second market day into the mix, so it now operates on Saturdays and Tuesdays sporting more than a dozen vendors and a vision to continue enriching the community.
Tuesdays: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Gray Gardens at Sequoyah and Main St
Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. across from Garcia’s restaurant on Main St
To learn more about any of these farmers markets, check the linked websites for details, FAQs, weather updates, and organizers’ contact information. Make sure to also be on the lookout for Fredericksburg fruit stands as you drive around Austin in the summer because this here’s peach, fig, and watermelon season, folks!
This guide has been updated to reflect current information as of 8/1/17, but we encourage you to click on the links to confirm info before you go. Farmers markets, like seasons and crops, sometimes need to change their operations. Additional reporting by Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku.
Featured photo: Flickr user Natalie Maynor, Creative Commons licensed.
