Austin Farmers Market keeps growing 

The food is par excellence, but when it comes to the Austin Town Hall Farmers Market, that’s by design. 

“Food is truly your wealth,” said Veah Larde, in her third year as market manager. 

“As long as we continue to work with that effort, it will be an amazing market to visit.” 

What does Larde enjoy among the dozen or so vendors at the market from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 30 at Austin Town Hall Park, 5610 W. Lake St.? 

A reporter gave her a minute to think before she came up with something that sounds not only delectable, but healthy, too. 

“I’m going to have to give that one to Thank God 4 Raw & Vegan Treats,” she said. “I had vegan tacos, and they were amazing. She allowed me to customize mine, with things that don’t normally go on a taco. She also has an apple crisp she does. When she runs out, people lose their minds.” 

With about two months to go in her season, what has Larde learned from her first two years at the helm after a long-time stint as owner of Two Sisters Catering in Austin? 

“I’ve learned that you truly have to listen to the community, what they are asking for,” said Larde, an Illinois Certified Farmers Market Manager. “If you can make it happen, make it happen. This is dialog that goes back and forth.” 

As with any venture, marketing is key, and Larde and assistant market manager Nikki Cotto have that covered, much to the delight of the consistent eight to 10 vendors every Thursday, which sometimes jumps to 15 to 17. 

“It’s still a market that is being discovered,” Larde said, noting it is in its 12th season with talks afoot about going year-round. “We go to community meetings, we have a street team that hands out flyers. It’s about getting things out there to make sure people know we’re here.” 

Cotto – who is a huge fan of the Moroccan beet salad from Mafunzo International Fitness & Kitchen and Chef Ali – said the laser focus is always increasing foot traffic, which can top out at 100 people a week. 

“The people want the vendors and the vendors want the people,” Cotto said. “We’re in a pretty accessible place. Because people are still learning about the market, we haven’t hit our stride. Veah has done a lot of great work to promote the market in the past three years.” 

The market connects residents with area farmers to offer healthy options like fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs and other farm favorites. But there’s more: How about artisanal breads, prepared goods and Larde’s favorite, vegan meals? 

“I want to bring something different to the West Side,” said Larde, a lifelong Austin resident. “I want people to understand we can eat healthy.” 

Patty Ringo, founder of vendor Katr2U, said the farmers market is a “community canvas filled with sensory immersions.” 

Ringo said there are “vibrant tents bursting with a harvest of colorful, fresh and tasty fruits and vegetables such as heirloom tomatoes, rainbow chard, purple basil, handmade soaps and heritage grains from local farmers and community gardens. Fresh basil trees, sizzling rib tips or empanadas, vegan delights and earthy mushrooms and more mingle in the air.” 

Ringo is renowned for hands-on cooking demos that blend flavor, storytelling, and community connection. Her favorite dishes include stuffed jumbo pasta shells; melt-in- your-mouth chicken, pork and turkey tips; stuffed portabella mushrooms; and four-cheese macaroni. 

Mmm-mmm. 

But there is a whole lot more than good food and even cooking demonstrations at the farmers market. Ray Williams of SkyLight Body Therapy offers free foot massages and chair massages for a nominal fee. Healthy beverages are provided at the Hydration Station. It even has a mishmash of music, with old favorites and new hits from DJ LipGloss. 

And what’s more, Beyond Hunger has a presence at the farmers market once a month, something it has been doing for four years after doing grocery store tours before the Covid-19 pandemic that were ultimately disallowed. 

“It started with our nutrition education team,” said Beyond Hunger programs manager Bri Kellogg. “(We provide) simple recipes that we use for our food pantry and hand out samples. We’ve invited our benefits services team, our volunteer coordinator has come for residents, our home delivery team has come with options for homebound individuals. 

“We get a lot of interest in our booth.” 

The farmers market is cost effective for local residents, too. As a Link Match market, when you spend a Link Match dollar – which never expire – you get another redeemable at the market for fresh fruits and vegetables. In fact, any food items permitted by the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are fair game, including breads, dairy, meat, eggs, grains, jams, sauces and edible plants. The only food items that are not included are those intended to be consumed at the market, like coffee and sandwiches. 

But mainly, it’s a good time and good break during the week, Larde said. Take DJ LipGloss, for example. 

“She has been with us the last three years and people just love her,” she said. “She feels the move and gets the vibe. She’ll get on the mic and call people out.” 

Kellogg always has a good time when she comes out. 

“It is a party,” she said. “Everyone feels welcome there. I’ve seen people who are unhoused coming by and getting samples and talking to our benefits team, understanding what resources are available to them.”