Sunset Valley, Downtown, The Triangle…
Most people call the SFC family of farmers’ markets by their geographic names. When they come to the Information Booth at any of these sites, they relate back to the farmer or producer stall as, “You know, the farmer who has those excellent soup bones,” or, “They were next to the pasta guys,” or, “He always has the best asparagus!”
No matter, we can point out to shoppers and visitors the farmer who has the soup bones, the asparagus (but remain impartial on which is best, as there are three farmers that have it and we want them all to sell their crops), and the stall next to the Pasta & Co. booth.
The SFC Farmers’ Market at Sunset Valley has adjusted a bit, since the changing of hands and a majority of the farmers and vendors staying at the same location. Because it is a member of the SFC farmers’ market system (which includes the downtown market, and the Wednesday night Triangle market), we naturally will create a market from the farmers and vendors that stayed to include 51% or more farmers. It’s our mission, our cause, our committment to the farmers and the supporters of local foods–you–the shoppers. And, because we really work at community development from the ground up, we felt that even though the market stalls themselves were prohibited in the new lease conditions with AISD, the market’s strength of excellent farmers, food vendors, a few quality artisans, and the educational and fun programming of SFC could pull customers just 200 feet to the east into Pillow Road, and, later, into the developed grassy green area just north of there. The parking lot at AISD is still very much available to thousands of customers and vendor parking.
The most recent City of Sunset Valley council meeting April 6th ironed out the lease agreement between SFC and the city, and moved forward on the establishment of the farmers’ market as an anchor in the community, with improvements getting underway to incorporate the green space of the city’s ‘triangle’ property. Why do we still want to incorporate green space?
In the years of holding markets downtown and at the Triangle (46th and Lamar), we continue to assess consumer feedback on what they like especially about the markets. The number one thing is that they like the farmers and the other vendors (we’ve got that!). And they like being next to or on green space. A comment that sticks particularly in my mind is someone saying, “I want to be at a “some-thing” at a ‘some-place”, not a “some-thing” at a “no-place”. We’re planting the seed, and tending the crop, for a really cool “some-place” at Sunset Valley. Look ahead, like farmers do, for a future bloom of a nice trail in the city’s triangle, with farmers and food vendors on each side, leading to a cafe area shaded by two big oak trees with music wafting through the air. Aromas of farmers’ sausages are in the air as well, while a stir-fry is in the next booth, and made to order omlettes come fresh off the grill. It will be here before you know it!
Who’s at the SFC Farmers’ Market at Sunset Valley? Austin Natural Soap, Bar W Farm, Bella Verdi Farm, Bradshaw Farm, Comanche Farm, Co-op Coffee/Owltree, Dewberry Farms, Doug Benjamin, Elevated Goods, Empanada La Boca, Engel Farm, Flintrock Hill Farm, Gardener’s Feast, Gwen Rocks, Hairston Creek Farm, Hill Country Cupcake, Hill Country Homestyle Canning, Indian Hills Farm, Johnson’s Backyard Garden, Katz’s Coffee, Kelly Jo Salsas, Kocurek Family Artisinal Charcuterie, Loncito’s Lamb, Mediterranean Chef, Microbial Earth, McKemie Farm, Montesino Farm, Naegelin Farm, Nile Valley Tea, Ottmer’s Family Farm, Pasta & Co., Plum Crazy, Rasco Ranch, Rasmey Farm, Richardson Farm, Rio’s Brazilian, Round Rock Honey, Sesa Tea, St. Pepper’s, Straight from the Vine, Spring Orchids, Swede Dairy, Sweetish Hill Bakery, Tacodeli, Texas Lavender, Texas Olive Ranch, Thai Fresh, Thunderheart Bison, Texas French Bread, Two Happy Children Farm, Trinity Gardens, Vital Farms, Watson Farm, Way Back When Dairy. Coming soon: Tecolote Farm.
Turn left at the barricades for the market and turn left into the south pocket parking lot (several hundred spaces), or, turn right into a small pocket parking area right by the carnival. Have fun!