Guide to Houston's best farmers markets - Houston Chronicle

7/5/13 12:34 AM

Guide to Houston's best farmers markets

By Syd Kearney | April 23, 2013 | Updated: April 23, 2013 5:34pm

In recent years, the number of farmers markets has mushroomed. Some are small humble operations; others boast a festive atmosphere complete with live music, cooking demonstrations and food trucks. All share a tasty notion: to nurture a better-educated consumer by facilitating conversations with food producers. See why now is the best time to buy local at houstonchronicle.com.

Some markets to check out: Hog Creek Farms: This Magnolia family-owned farm provides seasonal fruits and vegetables, free-range eggs and pastured pork.

Proverb Farm: This 2-acre farm in Alvin markets goat milk and cheese as well as fresh herbs. Urban Harvest operates three farmers markets: Saturday and Sunday at Eastside and Wednesday afternoons downtown at City Hall. TUESDAYS Rice University Farmers Market When: 3:30-7 p.m. Where: Rice University, South Stadium Lot, 2100 University Who's there: More than 30 vendors showcasing everything from dog biscuits and organic baby food to infused vinegars and local honey. This is a very popular market and a boon to those with busy weekends, when most other markets take place. farmersmarket.rice.edu

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Guide to Houston's best farmers markets - Houston Chronicle

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WEDNESDAYS City Hall Farmers Market When: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. through June 26 (resumes in the fall) Where: City Hall, 901 Bagby (garage parking available at 400 Rusk) Who's there: Two dozen vendors offering prepared foods and produce, as well as cooking demonstrations by local chefs. Tip: Arrive early and head straight to Melange Creperie, where Sean Carroll makes savory and sweet crepes. They're worth the wait and easy to consume as you check out the rest of the market. Trust us. urbanharvest.org Eco-Farmers Market When: 4-8 p.m. Where: CityCentre, 800 Town and Country Blvd. Who's there: At this small market, vendors of fresh baked goods, ready-to-eat Indian fare and bath products encircle the plaza at this popular lifestyle center. Live music. citycentrehouston.com Feast of Artisans Farmer's Market When: 4-8 p.m. Where: Woodlands Mall, 1201 Lake Woodlands in The Woodlands Who's there: In addition to fresh produce and locally farmed proteins, this market offers pickles, jams, wines, fresh pasta, coffee, cheeses and handmade chocolates.

THURSDAYS Spring Branch Farmers Market When: 2:30-6:30 p.m. Where: Unitarian Fellowship of Houston, 1504 Wirt Who's there: This spanking-new market makes its debut this Thursday with 14 vendors, including Georgia's Farm to Market. We expect the plentiful, adjacent parking will make popping into this market for a loaf of freshly baked bread or some free-range eggs quick and easy. Kingwood Farmers Market
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When: 3-7 p.m. Where: Town Center Park, 8 N. Main in Kingwood Who's there: Nearly two dozen vendors offer local fruit and produce, artisan cheeses, fresh bread, jellies and jams at this market that is celebrating its fourth year. The park setting lends itself to picnicking.

SATURDAYS Urban Harvest Farmers Market When: 8 a.m.-noon Where: Parking lot behind 3000 Richmond at Eastside Who's there:This is the granddaddy of Houston farmers markets, with more than 50 farmers and vendors selling everything from freshly harvested produce and artisan breads to grass-fed beef and emu eggs. This market gets a lot of regulars who are on a first-name basis with the vendors. Most markets feature live music, too. Go hungry and enjoy a hot breakfast from one of several chefs who cook for shoppers. urbanharvest.org The Farm Stand at Petrol Station When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Petrol Station, 985 Wakefield Who's there: This small market features a dozen vendors selling produce, local honey, chicken and eggs.

White Oak Farmers Market When: 8 a.m.-noon Where: Onion Creek Cafe, 3106 White Oak Who's there: This once-flourishing market is "still hanging in there," market manager Lola Daniel said. Down to just a handful of vendors, the market is looking to add more. Have a breakfast taco at Onion Creek and then stroll the parking-lot market. Pearland Old Townsite Farmers Market When: 8 a.m.-noon
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every second and fourth Saturday Where: Zylinski Park, 2243 Grand in Pearland Who's there: Vendors stocked with farm eggs, freshly roasted coffees, salsas, jams, beef jerky, and arts and crafts. pearlandoldtownsitefarmersmarket.com Grogan's Mill Village Farmers Market When: 8 a.m.-noon Where: Grogan's Mill Center, 7 Switchbud Place in The Woodlands Who's there: More than 20 vendors offering baked good, tamales, authentic Italian sausage, pastured chicken, cheeses, fresh fruit and vegetables and handmade crafts. grogansmillvillage.com Farmers Market at LaCenterra When: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: LaCenterra, 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. in Katy Who's there: Dozens of vendors offering everything from seasonal produce and raw honey to fresh herbs and hand-pressed Texas olive oil. lacenterra.com Farmers Market at Imperial When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 1-Dec. 10 Where: 198 Kempner, Sugar Land Who's there: This robust market features as many as 50 vendors each week, including Gundermann Acres with its too-pretty-to-cook produce, wheat-free baked goods from Bella's Kitchen and Law Ranch's pastured, grass-fed beef. imperialsugarland.com Farmers Market at Clear Lake Shores When: 8 a.m.-noon Where: 1020 Marina Bay Drive in Clear Lake Who's there: More than two dozen vendors sell everything from fresh flowers and fruit to all-natural dog treats and locally bottled salsa. farmersmarketatcls.com
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Tomball Farmers Market When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Corner of Main (FM 2920) and Cherry in downtown Tomball Who's there: About a dozen vendors offering fresh produce and herbs as well as prepared foods and handicrafts. tomballfarmersmarket.org Kemah Farmers & Open Air Market When: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Where: 204 FM 2094 at Texas 146 Who's there: Well, if the name didn't give it away, this market is a mixed bag. You'll find some fresh produce, and there are always home-baked and jarred goods. There are also a lot of flea-market goods. Live entertainment, too. kemahfarmersmarket.com Nassau Bay Farmers Market When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Erma's Nutrition Center, 18045 Upper Bay Road in Nassau Bay Who's there: Local growers and artisans peddling, among other things, pastured cuts of beef, organic soaps and growlers of kombucha.

Locavore Farmers' Market When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every third Saturday Where: Lakewood UMC Church, 11330 Louetta in Spring Who's there: Another of the city's charming small markets, this one offers produce, honey, coffee and handmade goods. SUNDAYS Urban Harvest Farmers Market When: noon-4 p.m. Where: Parking lot behind 3000 Richmond at Eastside Who's there: This market relocates from Highland Village to this longtime farmers market site beginning this Sunday. More than two dozen quality vendors offer organic produce, free-range meats, and artisanal breads and cheeses.
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urbanharvest.org Farmers Market at Bridgeland When: 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. every second Sunday Where: Activity Center, 16902 Bridgeland Landing in Cypress Who's there: About 30 vendors including Happy Food Dance Bakery, Four Feet Treats, Hog Creek Farms, Gurrola's Produce and King of the Pit.

Magnolia Farmers Market When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m every first and third Sunday Where: Intersection of FM 1488 and FM 1774 in Magnolia Who's there: These are neighbor gatherings with about a dozen farmers and vendors, many of whom have their businesses in the same ZIP code. Among the finds: do-ityourself hard cider kits, handmade jewelry, goat-milk soap and free-range brown eggs. sweetmagnoliapickins.net

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