From Farm, To Market

Fruitful Hill Farm LLC eggs

Located in Smithville, Texas, Fruitful Hill Farm LLC is owned and operated by the Ringger family. Their chickens are pastured, roaming on chemical-free grass, and the website lists any supplemental feed given. But primarily, these chickens are growing up in the great outdoors and eating bugs. Eggs can be found at the Barton Creek Mall Farmers Market and Sunset Valley Farmer’s Market (both on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.); in addition, members of the Johnson’s Backyard Garden CSA and Greenling farm-to-table delivery service receive Fruitful Hill Farm eggs in their boxes.

1 dozen eggs: $4

Pogue Mahone Pickles

Recent Culinary Academy graduate Sam Addison has been working to create the best dill pickle for a decade. Addison and his team of “pickle bandits” make each jar by hand, in a handful of diverse flavors and combinations.

The “Fresh Dill and Garlic” harkens back to a traditional dill pickle, served alongside a hamburger, while other flavors like “Jalapeño Mint” and “Ginger Habanero” delicately light up the palate.

Pogue Mahone Pickles can be found at weekend farmers markets as well as in stores such as Whole Foods Market, Wheatsville Co-op, and Fresh Plus.

Jalapeño & Fresh Mint Pickles: $6 per jar

Oh Kimchi

Husband and wife, Duane and Abigail Lunde, moved to Austin four years ago and quickly became immersed in the growing food culture. Later, when working for JBG Organic, they discovered that Austin's long growing seasons and abundant vegetables were perfect for making year-round kimchi, a traditional Korean side dish of fermented seasonal vegetables.

Abigail was making small batches of cucumber kimchi for friends and family last summer from all the leftover farmer’s market vegetables. She had noticed a majority of the kimchi she could find in stores was either imported or contained MSG or unnecessary preservatives. 

“I wanted my grandmother's flavor without the nonsense,” Lunde said. “Our kimchi has nourished my family for hundreds of years, and the recipes are very much unchanged. We believe in the health benefits of all the natural probiotics in our fermented goodies.”

One weekend last October, the Lundes—and their 7-month old daughter, Estella—got their first permit at Barton Creek Farmers' Market and sold 40 jars.

“We seriously underestimated Austin's need for clean, fermented veggies,” Lunde said. “We have so many varieties that you never have to get bored with just one.” 

Kala’s Kuisine

Since its beginning in 1994, Kala’s Kuisine is a gourmet food company headquartered in Austin. Owner and founder Kala Uprety offers up a unique twist on traditional Nepalese dishes by combining them with other flavors.

Kala’s Kuisine is dedicated to providing healthy vegetarian food that contains the best ingredients and no preservatives. From salsas and chutneys to lunch wraps and samosas, Kala’s Kuisine offers a variety of products.

Avocado Salsa: $4

Happy Vegan Bakery cookie and biscotti

This family-owned business uses organic and local ingredients, specializes in allergen-free baking, and eschews using any animal products (including honey). The owner, Inge Bothman, is also the lead chef instructor at the Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts; her parents, originally from Cape Town, South Africa, are partners and head chefs (mother Charlotte was working the stand at the Republic Square market when AFM bought these yummy treats). In addition to cookies, Happy Vegan Bakery creates meals and cakes and can be found at a variety of farmers’ markets and Austin-area coffee shops.

Cookie: $2
Biscotti: $1

Austin-area Farmers’ Markets

Barton Creek Farmers Market

(multiple locations, days)
2901 S. Capital of Texas Hghwy. (Barton Creek Mall parking lot), Saturday,
9 a.m.–1 p.m.
2323 S. Lamar (corner of S. Lamar and Bluebonnet), Sunday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Boggy Creek Farm Stand

(multiple days)
3414 Lyons Road (central East Austin), Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Green Gate Farm Stand and U-Pick
(multiple days, times)*
8310 Canoga Ave. (in the Big Red Barn): Tuesday, 3–6 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.–
2 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.*

HOPE Farmers Market

East 5th and Comal (live music): Sunday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.*

Lone Star Farmers Market at Bee Cave

12611 Shops Pkwy. #100 (Hill Country Galleria): Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Mueller Farmers Market

4550 Mueller Blvd. (in the hangar): Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Natural Springs Garden LLC

(multiple days)
15202 Kinsey Court (near Mansfield Dam), Tuesday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Friday,
10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Springdale Farm

(multiple days)
755 Springdale Road (farm stand indoors): Wednesday and Saturday,
9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Sustainable Food Center Farmers’ Market

(multiple locations, days)
Downtown: 422 W. Guadalupe (4th and Guadalupe, Republic Square Park), Saturday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
East: MLK and Miriam Ave., Tuesday, 3–7PM**
Sunset Valley: 3200 Jones Road (Toney Burger Center parking lot), Saturday,
9 a.m.–1 p.m.
The Triangle: 46th and Lamar (Triangle Park), Wednesday, 3–7 p.m.

* SNAP—Lone Star Card, WIC FMNP accepted
** For those who purchase $20 in fruits and vegetables with a SNAP—Lone Star Card or WIC FMNP (Farmers Market Nutrition Program, when available) vouchers, the market information booth coordinator will give $20 Double Dollar Incentive Program / Doble Dolares money to spend on more fruits and veggies every week.