Market Update: A New Home & New Vendors at the Downtown Market

If the first few weeks of 2010 are any indication, this year is going to be about big meaningful change.  You can see that change in action this weekend at the Downtown Austin Farmers Market as the market moves into the park at Republic Square.  

The park has served as the northern border of the market since the market started, but now it will be the market's home.  So why is this a big deal?  The park is bigger so the market can have more vendors.  And, because the market is no longer on the street, we don't have to navigate around the abandoned cars from the Warehouse District revelers who, responsibly, didn't drive home the night before.  Not to mention how much cooler it will be in the park than on the pavement on those sweltering summer days.

The thing I'm most excited about is the new vendors.  The market started expanding last fall by adding Dai Due, serving breakfast and lunch and selling charcuterie, delicious sausages and condiments.  If you haven't had the biscuit, sausage and gravy for breakfast yet, do yourself a favor and try it this week.

Last week, Kocurek Family Charcuterie joined the mix (because honestly you can never have enough charcuterie) with their own delicious meat and pantry items.  The duck bacon and spicy Italian sausage are scrumptious!

I almost cried when I saw the Way Back When Dairy (formerly Remember When Dairy) booth. I have missed them!  I got so used to drinking their delicious, low-heat pasteurized milk and was crestfallen when they stopped coming to the market to resolve partnership issues.  Grocery store milk, even the organic variety, isn't even close.

This week promises even more fun because there are many festivities planned for the christening of the market in the park including two different chef demos and games for the kids.  While I love a good party, I'm most excited about the arrival of two of my favorite farms at the Downtown market - Bella Verdi Farms and Full Quiver are joining the mix!  Woo hoo!

Bella Verdi Farms grows beautiful lettuces, herbs and microgreens.  Their lettuces are big beautiful lush greens and I love playing with the microgreen mixes.  You may be familiar with Bella Verdi from the Dripping Springs Market last summer, Central Market or the many restaurants who use their greens around town.  Their booth will definitely be worth a visit.

I'm equally excited about Full Quiver's arrival.  I frequently buy their delicious cheeses and pork at the Sunset Valley market and am delighted that they will be Downtown.  They are some of the highest quality products I have tasted and are clearly handled with love and care by the Sams family.

If you've skipped the market the last few weeks because of weather, you are seriously missing out.  So, see you at the market!