Farmers market season began in Austin this month, with the start of two weekly markets – the PCC Austin Farm Stand (which takes place on Thursdays from 10 a.m. t0 12 p.m. at 330 N. Lotus Ave.) and the Austin City Market (Thursdays from 1 to 6 p.m. at Austin Town Hall, 5610 W. Lake St.)
AustinTalks stopped by the Austin City Market last Thursday, the first day of that market, which runs until late October. Returning vendors include Forty Acres Fresh Market, Thank God 4 Raw & Vegan Treats and the Chicago Meat Collective. First timers Nuts To Go and J Spice will also be there weekly.
Additional vendors are expected to join the market as the season progresses, including Contemporary Farmer Inc. and Austin-based Finding Justice: A Flower and Vegetable Garden.
On Thursday, tents were lined up outside Austin Town Hall, inviting passersby to check it out. This will be the longest season since the market started in 2020.
Liz Abunaw, Forty Acres owner and one of the market organizers, said attendance has increased each year. Last year, they averaged 46 customers each week; last week, they saw 90 customers.
“When there is more and more tents out there and more people out there, people just started to come by out of curiosity,”Abunaw said.
Forty Acres Fresh Market has been a pillar of the market as a regular vendor. Forty Acres, which has a mobile delivery service, is renovating space at 5713 W. Chicago Ave. for a grocery store set to open sometime in 2023.
Michelle Scott, founder of Thank God 4 Raw & Vegan Treats, expanded her selection for this year’s market. Vegan desserts and cold-pressed fresh juices are available at the market – and for delivery on her website.
She said it is her way of giving back to the community.
“I want people to feel the love when they eat my food,” Scott said.
Scott said Austin residents have a higher risk of kidney problems, diabetes and obesity. She wants her food to be a way for the community to get more plants in their diet.
The Chicago Meat Collective provides meat for every cooking level; Nuts To Go offers whiskey and vanilla roasted nuts; and J Spice sells prepared rice bowls as well as their special spice and sauce blends.
Many of the vendors have only online shops so the market is the way to check out their products in person.
A number of attendees found the market simply by walking by. Others were checking it out as they considered whether to become a vendor themselves.
