Austin.com 9 Tips On Getting The Most Out Of Your Trip To Austin Farmers Markets

Vibrant produce, farm-raised beef, colorful flowers, unique artisans — where can you find all of this in one spot? The farmers market! One of the best things about shopping at the farmers market is that they’re full of local farmers, vendors, and artists. Which means you’re not only getting incredibly fresh food, but you’re also doing your part to support the local economy.

Austin hosts tons of farmers markets. All markets feature vendors selling produce, meat, eggs, seafood, honey, oils, spices, and so much more. That being said, shopping at the farmers market is nothing like shopping at a grocery store. If this is your first trip to a farmers market, it can be little intimidating. We’ve put together a list of tips to make the most out of your farmer’s market trip and to have a great experience.

Go Early

Knowing when to shop the farmer’s market will take some getting used to. But, for your first time, we recommend going early so you have access to everything there, because vendors will sell out.

Make A List

Having a semi-concrete list of items/ ingredients to buy when you head to the farmer’s market is a great idea. With all of the choices it can be overwhelming and you’ll want to buy everything. Maybe take your normal grocery list with you and cross off items you can buy at the market. Or, have a recipe in mind.

Know Before You Go

All three farmers marker’s in Austin have a comprehensive list of the vendors online. Knowing what kind of vendors will be at the market can help you narrow down what items to buy.

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Bring Cash and Card

Some vendors take card, most take cash. Be sure to have some on hand just in case.

Be Prepared

Bring your own bags and containers. Better yet, pack a cooler in your car to keep everything cool on the way home.

Make a Loop First

The best way to tackle the farmer’s market on your first time is to make a loop around the entire market. Take mental notes of vendors you want to go back to. Then, once you’ve seen everything, you can better decide where you want to spend your money. Pro tip: purchase the larger items last so you don’t have to lug them around all morning.

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Buy In Season

Since the farmer’s market doesn’t have the giant selection a grocery store has, try to buy in-season foods. Those will taste the best.

Go Hungry And Make a Day Of It

Most farmer’s markets have food vendors cranking out tacos, dumplings, refreshing drinks, you name it. Trust us, you’ll want to try them all. You may want to eat first because shopping hungry can be dangerous!

Spread The Word

These markets can’t survive without you. So, take photos of your haul and tag the farmers and vendors. Word-of-mouth can go a long way too, so be sure to share your farmer’s market finds with friends!