A new farmers market is headed to Austin this month. Zilker Farmers Market will debut at Zilker Elementary School beginning Oct. 18. The market will then return every second Sunday of the month, beginning Nov. 8.
The context
The market was built by and for the Zilker community, according to its website, led by market founder John Smolen and board members JD Leonard, Emma Catlett, Kim Lippy, Marissa Vetter, Martee Hathorn and Garret Nick.
Smolen initially got the idea to build a neighborhood market after living in London and New York, where he was always a 10-minute walk away from a local market. He missed being in close proximity to a communal space filled with fresh and healthy food options.
“The breaking point for me which really caused me to think about [the market] more seriously was we had ordered delivery from H-E-B groceries and I was making my kids a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and the peanut butter had like 14 ingredients in it,” Smolen said. “And I lost my mind. I was like peanut butter should have one ingredient: peanuts.”
What to expect
The market will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., regardless of weather. Admission and parking is free. Leashed dogs and strollers are both welcome. Attendees can expect to see live music from local performers at the first few markets.
Vendors will be offering seasonal produce, eggs, dairy, meat and honey. Other suppliers will sell coffee, sourdough, jams, pastries, jams and pre-prepared meals.
Vendors include:
What we know
The market will help educate people about seasonal produce, gardening and agriculture. To help with that mission, representatives from Partners for Education, Agriculture, and Sustainability (PEAS) and Zilker Elementary will be on-site to share their sustainability education programming.
Additionally, all excess market proceeds will be donated to the Zilker PTA, where Smolen’s daughter goes to school.
“Our goal is that we're setting up for a prolonged sustainable market and then anything in surplus will benefit the school and the community which I think is nice,” Smolen said.
Get involved
The Zilker Farmers Market currently has a community survey for people to fill out to nominate a vendor or musician, share suggestions, offer professional skills, donate or volunteer.
