Locavore Blog – SFC Farmers' Market

The sky cleared just as the market farmers and vendors arrived to set up, after they traveled over bridges with flooded creeks underneath, felt the pressure of thunder on their truck roofs, and wished for — at least on this day, Tuesday, March 20th — no rain! The SFC Farmers’ Market East opened to nary a raindrop with smiling faces and tables laden with the best Central Texas farmers have to offer this first day of spring.

The exchange of scrip and tokens were the new 'green' currency at the market.

More than 350 people listened to the bell ringing ceremony, mariachi music, baby goats bleating and learned how to make an out of this world beet salad from Chef Alma Alcocer-Thomas.

Young moms with children, students, seniors and long-time East Austin residents swarmed in a bee line to the Information Booth to learn more about how they could use their SNAP (food stamp) Lone Star and WIC EBT cash value benefits 1) to get fruits and vegetables in general- “You mean I can use my WIC card? Right here, with this farmer?”; and 2) to receive Double Dollars scrip as a match, up to $10, for their fruit and vegetable purchase made with either card. The customers used $10 in their card benefits, received an extra $10 in Double Dollars, and the farmers received the $20 of both in exchange for their farm fresh tasty produce!

News crews from KXAN-TV and YNN-TV came out, as well as Addie Broyles from the Austin American-Statesman and writer Renee Studebaker. A KUT-FM story previously recorded on Monday aired during drive time on Tuesday morning. A reporter from the neighborhood NOKOA came to take pictures and interview people and will inform readers of this great asset to the community.

All the shoppers where talking and getting excited with the farmers and starting new relationships that are bound to take root in this market at Hwy. 183 and 51st Street, in the YMCA East Communities Branch location. Kids were intrigued to try new things, like raw turnips. They urged their parent to buy the family more vegetables! One child said, “Mom, can we get this?,” as the youth pointed to a bright bunch of beets. Mom responded, “No…I don’t think we can get all that..” and she looked at the stack of Double Dollars she had in her hand, and said..”oh!, yes we can get that!” and proceeded to count out the dollars for the bunch.

Now, that’s worth going through a muddy field for.

Kevin Ottmers of Ottmer's Family Farm is happy shoppers are chatting about vegetables.

The largest portion of the market’s Double Dollar Incentive Program, operations, and marketing are made possible by the St. David’s Foundation, Texas Department of Agriculture, and USDA respectively. Our location is the YMCA East, 5315 Ed Bluestein at the intersection of Highway 183 (Ed Bluestein) and 51st Street.

The grand opening celebration of SFC Farmers’ Market East on Tuesday, March 20th is right around the corner, and area farmers and vendors are excited to bring their produce and artisan foods to the Northeast Austin community. Sustainable Food Center (SFC) is delighted to host over 12 vegetable vendors next week, as well as several dairy, egg and cheese farmers and ranchers providing grass-fed, free range, humanely raised chicken, lamb and beef.  We are a RAIN or SHINE market, so we will still have this market, whether the clouds are raining or the sun is shining!

Vegetable farmers confirmed as of Tuesday, March 13th:

• Blackland Prairie Farm
• Munkebo Farm (featuring vegetables and duck eggs)
• Finca Pura Vida Farm (with several Costa Rican heirloom varieties of vegetables)
• Texas Produce Farm
• Indian Hills Farm (with vegetables, granola, and grass-fed beef)
• Johnson’s Backyard Garden (in addition to vegetables, they will have vegetable plant starts)
• Naegelin Farm
• River Bottom Farm
• Simmons Family Farm
• Ottmers Family Farm
• Tecolote Farm
• Engel Farm
• Bar W Farm

Farmers of dairy, egg, cheese, etc. confirmed for Tuesday, March 20th:

• Dos Lunas Cheese (from cow’s milk)
• Swede Goat Dairy Farm
• Smith and Smith Farm (providing chicken, eggs and lamb)
• Round Rock Honey

Other farmers:

• Specialized Plant Sales (with a wide variety of fruit bearing plants, trees and ornamentals)
• Pecan Shop (delicious salt-brined wild harvested and cultivated Texas pecans with natural flavorings like mesquite and apple)

Food vendors confirmed for Tuesday, March 20th:

• Gardeners’ Feast
• Happy Vegan Baker (featuring hand-made vegan desserts  and tacos)
• Cake and Spoon
• Baguette et Chocolate (with French baker croissants and bread loaves)
• Kala’s Kuisine
• Tacodeli
• Texas Coffee Traders with fair trade, organic coffees and other drinks
• Fete Accompli with special local chocolate dessert drinks

Others coming by 3/27 or later: Zubik House hot foods trailer, Mom & Pops paletas and aguas frescas, Lightsey Farms, Lily Pad Farm

In addition to the vendors and farmers, SFC Farmers’ Market East’s Grand Opening celebration will feature outreach from LiveStrong for healthier lifestyles and The Capital Area Food Bank will be present to provide information and assistance for individuals looking to enroll in the SNAP program.