Last weekend, we were among the customers who tried to get there early enough to beat the heat to buy some groceries for the week. Like all the area farmers’ markets, this one has vendors selling everything from meat and seafood to knife sharpening.
Many of the prepared foods vendors offer samples, which is a big appeal for my young shoppers. Just like when we go grocery shopping at the regular store, the kids were with me to help decide what foods to get for the week, and this trip was no different.
Located next to the lake in Mueller Lake Park, the Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller is doing pretty well this time of year, even in the heat. Dozens of vendors sell everything from kombucha and ginger beer to fresh produce, meat and seafood. Addie Broyles / American-Statesman
Shade is a hot commodity at any farmers market in late July. Addie Broyles / American-Statesman
We sampled and browsed the dozens of booths for about 45 minutes before it was time to seek cooler temperatures, but we had quite a haul. Here’s a look at the cool stuff we ended up taking home.
The San Antonio-based Mother Culture sells cultured yogurt. We got the maple pecan drinking yogurt. It cost $12, but the product was rich and almost dessert-like. We each got to pick out a treat, and this was mine. Addie Broyles / American-StatesmanThese Pao de Quejo (cheese bread) from Lua Brazil were a kid-favorite on our recent farmers market shopping trip. I bought a bag of the frozen pizza ones for $10. Addie Broyles / American-StatesmanBuddha’s Brew sits on many grocery store shelves across Austin, but it’s fun to drink a freshly poured one in flavors you sometimes can’t find in the store. We had the watermelon and strawberry lemonade ‘buchas. Addie Broyles / American-StatesmanKey lime pie is Murphy’s Mellows‘ bestselling marshmallow flavor, but the kids picked out one of the chocolate packages for $5. Addie Broyles / American-StatesmanIn both local grocery stores and farmers markets, Afia Foods sells these packages of Mediterranean foods, including kibbeh and falafel. Both boys like the kibbeh, so I bought a bag of 14 for $10. Addie Broyles / American-Statesman
It’s safe to say we went on a sampling frenzy. I spent $50 on products I hadn’t tried before, as well as a couple of produce items and kombucha. It was a fun way to spend the morning with my kids and pick up some culinary treats at the same time. We didn’t have to buy so much stuff, but those vendors are working hard out there in the heat.
Plus they are making some really delicious stuff. I could have spent another $50 just on the way back to the car.
