A Running List of Farmers Markets in the Austin Area

Central Texas is spoiled for choice when it comes to farm-fresh produce. And luckily, Austin gets to reap the benefits with top-quality farmers markets in every corner of the city. Whether you’re looking for organic, seasonal produce, or locally raised meats, you can find it.

Shopping at farmers markets does more than just help the local economy, it offers tons of health benefits, too. Fruits and vegetables start to lose their nutritional value just 24 hours after their harvest. When you buy from a traditional chain grocery store, your produce has been picked, packaged, and then shipped — a process that can literally take weeks. When you shop from a local market, the majority of the produce has been harvested that day, at peak ripeness and nutritional value. It’s shocking then, that less than one percent of what Austinites consume is produced locally. It’s time to change that.

Read on for a running list of the city’s farmers markets, and their offerings throughout the novel coronavirus pandemic, listed alphabetically.

Please note, due to Austin’s current COVID-19 restrictions, masks are required at all markets and social distancing is being enforced. Most live events, including music and demonstrations, have been postponed, but exceptions are noted below.

Boggy Creek Farm/Facebook

Barton Creek Farmers Market: Claiming the title of Austin’s original farmers market, Barton Creek Farmers Market launched in 1987 and is ranked as one of the best markets in the country by the Audubon Society. Most products are locally grown or made by its vendors, boasting a vast selection of grass-fed meats, prepared foods, handmade crafts and produce. Visit the Fruitful Hill stall for a seasonal selection of beans, peppers, potatoes and even on-the-ear popcorn. Johnson’s Backyard Garden always features an impressive selection of tomatoes, including Cherokee Purple Heirlooms and San Marzano tomatoes. Hand-cast silver pieces from Wren’s Jewelry make lovely gifts, as do a few steaks from Svantes Beef or Flying C Cattle Ranch. (Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2901 South Capital of Texas Highway, Barton Creek Mall)

Boggy Creek Farm: Buy straight-from-the-farm produce onsite at the Boggy Creek Farm farm stand. It grows the majority of the produce at the farm, harvesting within 24-hours of market days. There’s an updated list of their seasonal fruits and vegetables online. Right now, look for dandelion greens, parsnips, Shishito peppers, and a selection of tomato varieties, among others. There’s also fresh bread and pastry from Texas French Bread, Texas Coffee Traders organic breakfast blend coffee beans, Carla’s Springdale Handmade Soaps and a few ready-to-plant garden starts like basil, bell peppers, and Yaqui Tomato. Dairy and meat from Texan providers like Richardson Farm, Deer Run Land & Cattle Company, and Pure Roots Chicken is also available. Show up before 11 a.m. to watch the staff finish collecting and preparing the day’s harvest. Dogs aren’t allowed, and neither is smoking. (Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 3414 Lyons Road, Govalle)

Buda Downtown Farmers Market: The historic Buda Mill & Grain Co. plays host to this weekly market. Though it is smaller than some of its Austin contemporaries, it makes for a nice morning activity for Buda residents. Stroll through the renovated mill, and pick up seasonal produce from Star Farmers Market, natural beauty products from Zen Side out and Natural Traditions, fresh coffee, and local proteins from suppliers like Taylor Farm and Flying C Cattle. Flying C raise their wagyu herd right in Wimberley. (Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 308 South Main Street, Buda)

Dripping Springs Farmers Market: Once named the best market in Texas, this one is worth the trek outside of city limits. Local farmers offer up produce, grass-fed meats and dairy, locally pressed oils, and sustainably raised eggs. Onion Creek Farm is now offering specialty varieties of melons, including San Juan and Arava melons, at its booth, and Mick Family Farms have recently started selling rabbit meat, alongside lamb and eggs. Mushroom obsessives should look for HiFi Myco, which offers up a rotating selection of mushrooms, such as oyster, lion’s mane, shiitake, and maitake, plus grow-your-own kits, and mushroom coffee. Visitors can still enjoy live music while they shop, but due to the pandemic, there is no onsite consumption. You can view COVID-19 guidelines here. Market updates are posted on its Facebook page. (Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m., Veterans Memorial Park, Highway 290 & Ranch-to-Road 12, Dripping Springs)

Eden East: Before the farm relocates and reopens in Bastrop come October, Eden East Farms (née Springdale Farm) is still operating through the end of the summer. Find overflowing baskets of heritage tomatoes, duck eggs, sauces, pickles, condiments, beautiful flowers, and more. There’s a sample list of available produce on its website, but the offerings change as different crops mature. There’s also a limited number of produce bags available for preorder. (Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 755 Springdale Road, Govalle)

Farmer George Farmers Market: Farmer George hosts three markets around the city, all of which will be adopting new initiatives come Fourth of July weekend. In response to the pandemic, it’ll start offering free activities, including take-home crafts for kids, home recipes to try (with accompanying video tutorials on its website), online yoga, and a pet corner where you can hear tips and tricks from local trainers and experts. An exact schedule will be announced on its Facebook page on Wednesday, July 1. Visitors can still expect to find a range of top quality vendors. Stop by the Star Farms, Taylor Farms and Edamie Ranch booths for local, pesticide-free produce and proteins, including eggs pork and beef. ATX Masks will be onsite selling string-tie masks starting at $5. Handmade, organic hand sanitizer, sunscreen and cooling spray are also available at the Natural Traditions booth. Social distancing is being enforced, and guests are not allowed to touch products. Instead, point to what you’d like, and a vendor will get it for you. (Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., University Oaks Shopping Center, 201 University Oaks Boulevard, Round Rock; Sundays from noon to 4 p.m., Gateway Shopping Center, 9503 Research Boulevard, Arboretum; the first Thursday of every month from 4 to 7 p.m., 12300 Riata Trace Parkway Pavilion, Far North Austin)

SFC Farmers Market/Facebook

Lone Star Farmers Market: The Hill Country Galleria hosts a weekly farmers market with plenty of parking and even knife sharpening. It normally host over 40 booths, though the offerings may be smaller during the pandemic. Expect to find products like CBD oils from Herbal Root Collective, artisanal vinegars from Spicewood Foods, Buddha’s Brew Kombucha and artisanal dog treats from Chow Hound, alongside crafters, meat sellers and stalls of fresh produce. Don’t miss the chance to try one of Garbo’s Seafood Truck’s lobster rolls for a light lunch. There’s a sibling outpost over in Dripping Springs at Treaty Oak Distilling too. (Sundays from 1 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Boulevard, Bee Cave; every second and fourth Saturday of the month from 3 to 7 p.m., Treaty Oak Distilling, 16604 Fitzhugh Road, Dripping Springs)

SFC Farmers Market: The Sustainable Food Center (SFC) has been committed to creating a sustainable food system since the 1970s. The organization currently operates two farmers markets in Austin, with vendors only selling what they grow or make. Expect local produce, dairy, meat, flowers, breads, and condiments from vendors like Hat & Heart Farm, Austin Honey Company and The Sourdough Project. Stop by the Urban Roots stall, to speak with the social initiative’s teenage leaders.At the moment, all special events, live music, food samples and on-site consumption have been postponed because of the pandemic, and all visitors are asked to wear a mask and respect social distancing guidelines. (Downtown Austin on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Republic Square, 422 Guadalupe Street; Sunset Valley on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Toney Burger Center, 3200 Jones Road)

Texas Farmers Market: This farmer-organized market brings local produce and goods to those in Cedar Park and Mueller. Each location hosts different vendors and attractions, but you can normally expect fresh dairy, meat and prepared foods, cooking demonstrations and even a petting zoo (though only at Lakeline). Look out for Luv Fat at the Mueller location, the vegan ice cream is a firm crowd favorite. Teddy V. Patisserie sells their ⅓-lb chocolate chip cookies at both markets, but they sell out fast. Normally, they offer on-site community composting and live-music, but during COVID-19 these offers have been cancelled. You can find their full Covid-19 guidelines here. All locations are dog friendly. (Lakeline Mall on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 11200 Lakeline Mall Drive, Cedar Park; Mueller on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4209 Airport Boulevard, Mueller)