BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
Dig deeper
Looking ahead
Gateway Market Days, which opened Feb. 4, and Arboretum Food and Artisan Market, which opened after press time on Feb. 24, are the region’s two newest markets. As the spring and summer seasons approach and these markets find their footing, market owners such as Harbison are expecting to expand their offerings. “It’s kind of a different intention and a different foundation that our market is built on,” Harbison said. “Our market is built on Texas farming and ranching; that’s the roots of it.” Others in the farmers market scene are pushing for more regular markets. “I hope to see a shift towards the seven-day market model ... year- round, everyday markets that support both the farmer and the community,” Scherzer said.
Assistance Program benefits, which Shafer said gives more residents access to what these markets have to offer. “The pandemic [and] the storm in February 2021 taught us that the supply chain can easily be broken, so we need to figure out a way to kind of keep ourselves self-sufficient,” Shafer said. “Not to say that we as a farmers market are the solution to this unsatisfactory food system, but we’re at least a step in the right direction.”
“It’s easy to walk into a store; it’s stationary; it has everything you need. But when you come and shop local, you’re actually impacting your neighbors’ lives, and that’s important to all of us, because we do work hard providing these products.” TANYA RAMIREZ, OWNER OF TIPSY DIPSY DYES, GATEWAY MARKET DAYS The demand for local and sustainable food is growing, said Stephanie Scherzer, owner of Austin-based online farmers market Farmhouse Delivery, which sources and delivers local pro- duce, meat and more. “People are interested in what’s growing in Central Texas and are opting for more seasonally focused eating,” Scherzer said. Several markets around Austin, including TFM at Lakeline, also accept Supplemental Nutrition
“You’re supporting a local, blue collar worker that’s doing this to support their family, whether they own the business or they’re working for the farmer. … The labor of love, the blood and sweat that comes into making all this stuff—that all holds value.”
WILLIAM PARSONS, OWNER OF CLINGY PEACH, VENDOR AT MULTIPLE MARKETS
Thursday, March 21 11 am – 2 pm Settle in for old-fashioned country fun, featuring: Boots, Beer & BBQ
� A country-western band � BBQ pork sliders & sides � Community tours
� Desserts donated by Magnolia Hospice � Door prizes*
*No purchase necessary to win.
Continue Your Life Story With Us ANTHOLOGY OF THE ARBORETUM 10001 Stonelake Blvd. / Austin, TX Supportive Independent & Assisted Living Memory Care AnthologyArboretum.com RSVP NOW: 512-879-1687
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