Austin Local Farms Round-Up

I’m one of those freaks who loves grocery shopping. Mike, my husband, would prefer to walk in with a list and walk out ten minutes later (with no slow-downs and no conversations). I love to meander, to admire the colors and textures, to compare, to read through ingredient lists. I love to watch the butchers chop and wrap, the florists arrange baby’s breath and fresh peonies. So much life comes out of the grocery store.

Lately, my trips haven’t been such sanctuaries. Everything is sterile, cautious, and paced. The air is anxious. Some staples are depleted. Shops are doing the best they can, but they’re pioneers of a new age, fording the waters of trial and error.

Shopping during COVID has me dreaming of shorter supply chains. In an ideal world, everyone would have a lush backyard garden with ample fruits and vegetables marching straight to the plate. That’s not reality, though. We’re reliant on others for most of our food. So, let’s look at the next best option: local farms, farmer’s markets, and CSA (community supported agriculture – read more here). In this post, I’ve rounded up some of the best and brightest local farms Austin boasts, along with instructions for how to snag their fresh produce and other goods.

Eden East


Photo from Eden East’s website.

Eden East, a 5-acre urban farm on Springdale Road, is a true farm-to-table experience – it’s actually where I held my best friend’s bachelorette party! Normally, Eden East serves amazing five-course dinners and brunches (prix fixe) with cocktails included. For now, their farm stand is open Wednesday and Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm, with social distancing guidelines in effect. Shop seasonal vegetables, eggs, jam, dried and canned goods, local meats, and medicinal and culinary herbs. You can also pre-order seasonal produce bags for pick-up here ($20 and $30 options).

Johnson’s Backyard Garden

Photo from Johnson’s Backyard Garden’s website.

You may have seen Johnson’s Backyard Garden’s exquisite produce in HEB’s organic section, but this farm literally started in its founder’s backyard. Now, it’s a 186-acre certified-organic local produce giant, sprawled out in Cedar Creek (just southeast of Austin). CSA applications are currently closed due to overwhelming demand, but you can sign up for the wait list here. In the meantime, catch them at the SFC Farmer’s Market downtown on Saturday mornings, at Buda and Mueller Markets on Sunday mornings, or in Dripping Springs on Wednesdays.

Boggy Creek Farm

Photo from Boggy Creek Farm’s website.

Boggy Creek Farm’s history has deep roots. The current farm has been in business since the early ’90s, a landmark for Austinites who love to shop small and support local. Located in East Austin, Boggy Creek is touted Austin’s Original Urban Farm. Visit on Wednesdays, Thursday, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8 am – 1 pm to peruse the farm’s fruit and veggies. Make sure to stop by their freezer, cooler, and counter too; you’ll find dairy, meat, bread, and baked goodies from other local providers. For now, masks and gloves are required.

Urban Roots

Photo from Urban Roots’ website.

For over 10 years, Urban Roots has offered internships and opportunities to Austin youth through growing food and collaborating as teams. They call it “farm-based youth leadership”, which results in hundreds of thousands of pounds of donated produce (not to mention the joy of serving in a community or the substantial stipends paid to young leaders). You can support Urban Roots vision while stocking up your fridge by purchasing one of their $30 pre-packed produce boxes (info here). You can also find them at the Downtown SFC Market on Saturday mornings.

HausBar Farm

Photo from HausBar Farm’s social media.

An urban farm and guest house in East Austin, HausBar prides itself on sustainability. Solar panels provide power, caught rainwater drip-irrigates the crops, and donkeys mow the lawn. HausBar also provides fresh food to some of Austin’s finest eating establishments (hello, Uchi). Connect via private message on social media (@hausbarfarmsatx) to sign up for their Farm to Neighbor program, which allows you to buy food direct from the farm.

Tecolote Farm

Photo from 365 Bastrop’s website.

Tecolote is an Austin-area farming pioneer. Their work in Manor’s sweet soil has resulted in partnerships with dozens of Austin’s top-tier restaurants, co-ops, and grocery stores. Though Tecolote no longer accepts newbies to their CSA program, it’s the longest-running in Texas. They’re also the last-standing founder of the Downtown market, where you can still find them on Saturday mornings. If you’re up north, track them down at Lakeline Mall’s market.

Green Gate Farms

Photo from Green Gate Farms’ website.

Technically in Bastrop, Green Gate Farms has been providing food for underserved neighborhoods since 2006. Their certified organic vision is holistic – their farm seeks to care for the mind, body, and soul. On top of purchasing food and flowers, you can participate in educational workshops, volunteer, or even sign up for a farm camp. The farm stand is currently closed for renovations, with a reopen set for early June. Join the CSA wait list here. If bouquets are more your scene, there’s still room in the Flower CSA (pick-up at Earth Commons Apothecary on Wednesdays).

Which of these farms would you most like to visit? Let me know in the comments!

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