During these unprecedented times, it’s especially important to support and invest in our local communities. One way to do this is with our food choices. You can help local businesses bounce back from economic downturns and invest in the overall resiliency of your community by buying from Hill Country farmers and producers.
Farmers’ Markets often meet weekly – typically outdoors – and are a great way to be exposed to your region’s local producers. Food cooperatives (often just called co-ops) are a worker or member-owned business made up of small-scale farms working together to pool resources and produce. Co-ops allow customers to get a wider array of options from numerous producers and support numerous local farms. Food co-ops tie in well with Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). CSAs provide an opportunity for local farmers to offer fresh produce directly to “subscribing” customers, often on a monthly basis.
The Hill Country is home to dozens of farmers’ markets, CSAs, and co-ops, although current market hours of operation are subject to change. The Council for Healthy Food Systems offers an online resource listing Texas farmers’ markets and CSAs that are currently open, followed by a list of farmers who are taking new customers (many of whom have online or delivery options). Sustainable Food Center has also put together a list of Austin-area food access resources currently available. Local Harvest is another good resource for searching for farmers’ markets, co-ops, and CSAs in your area by zip code.
Featured, Direct-market Producers
A number of agricultural producers offer direct marketing (e.g. selling their products directly to you, the consumer) or sell to a local business or co-op that butchers and processes meat. While some are booked up, others are still taking orders from new customers. For an extensive list of all direct market producers certified with Go Texan – a program of the Texas Department of Agriculture, click here.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of Hill Country direct-market producers whose website suggest they have locally grown food for sale:
- Bandera Grassland in Tarpley
- Black Bear Farm and Apiary in Dripping Springs
- La Cabra Meat in Junction
- Cook Land and Cattle Company in Hunt
- Grassfed Beef of Texas in Llano
- Hairston Creek Farm in Burnet
- Heritage Beef in Rocksprings
- Holland Cattle and Sheep Ranch in Marble Falls
- Mountain Home Farms in Mountain Home
- Parker Creek Ranch in D’Hanis
- Pure Luck Farm and Dairy in Dripping Springs
- Terra Purezza in Spicewood
- The Betsy Blue Farm in Hondo and San Antonio
- The Farmer’s Butcher in San Antonio
- Zanzenberg Farm in Center Point
This list is far from all-inclusive, but we hope you find it helpful as you pursue local options for feeding your family while building community resilience.
Please let us know what local producers we may have missed. If you would like to add a direct-market producer or a resource guide, please reach out to leah@hillcountryalliance.org. For more coverage of Hill Country news and resources be sure to follow the Hill Country Alliance on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.