Lone Star Farmers Market

Went to this farmers market today to compare it to the one I went to last weekend at Lakeline Mall. I found this one really lacking. There were only two vegetable stands (one only sold lettuce), and no fruit stands. Generally speaking, I didn’t care for the other stands as much though there were a couple of standouts.

Kinda chilly outside… just came back from church and needed to stop at Marshall’s to pick up a few things and boom… there it is. I see white tops of tents lining the parking lot – I get a little closer and see the sign for Lone Star Farmers Market. I didn’t know this existed! I love Farmers Markets! Having lived in Wisconsin for 10 years, I used to travel 1 hour many Saturdays to go to one of the top 10 Farmers Markets in the country in Madison, Wisconsin. Outstanding, by the way. Anyway, I know a little about Farmers Markets. I was pleasantly surprised with the Lone Star Farmers Market. There was a nice blend of many different vendors – from Olive Oils from Italy with local fruit infusions (outstanding), homemade Bloody Mary mix (waiting all my adult life for this), breads, desserts, farm raised eggs, beef, lamb, organic vegetables, knife sharpening guy, cheese monger (that’s a big deal having lived in Wisconsin), doggie treats, real homemade carmel corn and the list goes on. I really like this place. The vendors themselves are friendly and they are passionate about their products. Every vendor we visited with had a story regarding their product and they actually like what they are selling – I like that. Looking forward to going back. There’s a nice group of people – families, singles, doggies, happy people. Great combination with good music playing in the background. Oh yeah, as we were leaving we watched a little girl get her face painted as a tiger by a local artisan — she and her parents were thrilled and the artist did a great job. As we walked away with amazing homemade Bloody Mary mix and one year old aged cheddar cheese that is aged in a cave in Waco (of all places!) – amazing taste – we stopped by the hot chocolate guy’s tent and had a hot cocoa with whole milk, madagascar spices and just warmed up right away. Looking forward to going back. This may be our thing after church on Sundays – I like a little routine. Now, time to make brunch and sip on the outstanding Bloody Mary Mix with a little vodka. Later, watch the Packers and the Eagles play in Green Bay (dang, who will I root for?) and munch on some yummy aged cheddar cheese. I love Sundays! The Lone Star Farmers Market just made it even better!

It’s a young farmer’s market and great to have this option in the Bee Cave area. We went several times during the spring and summer and were pleased with the number of vendors and quality of the food items available. I wouldn’t expect too much from a farmer’s market in the winter months, but have yet to try that. Plenty of parking even during the busy season.

Let me premise by saying it was cold, like 38 degrees cold, when I went so I can’t say all the stalls that were there that day is the norm or not. I drove past a few times during late summer and I think it looked like there were more vendors available. ???
There were maybe 20 vendors at best and only ONE sold produce. Selection was OK, but prices were rather high.
As far as the rest of the vendors: several cooked food options — tamales — hummus — naan — artisanal breads…
Others: fish — organic pork — lamb — ALL frozen products…
Other others: essential oils — tie dye stuff — jewelry — fermented tea (YUCK) — dog treats…
Was so excited when I moved here that there was a «Farmers Market» close by that was open year round. Blahh… disappointed.