Farmers Market to expand, test second weekly market

Thanks to the steady increase in the growth and popularity of the Dripping Springs Farmers Market, the city of Dripping Springs has decided to try something new: expanding the weekly market to two days per week.

Founded in 2009, the DSFM is one of the oldest weekday markets in Central Texas. It has held the title as the numberone Farmers Market in Texas three times in the last five years, and it consistently remains in the top three not only in the state but also in the southwest region, according to the American Farmland Trust. Earlier this year, the market underwent one of its most significant changes to date, moving from its traditional spot at Veterans Memorial Park (locally known as The Triangle) to The Pound House Farmstead.

The Pound House Farmstead was the center of Dripping Springs’ heritage since the 1850’s — first as the original log cabin home of one of the town’s founding families and, in recent decades, as a history museum. Combining the two local landmarks was a recognition of the agrarian heritage of Dripping Springs, according to representatives from each, and was intended to create a deeper connection between the iconic DSFM and the heritage of the city. It also provided more room for vendors, activities and future growth.

The market’s expansion to two days per week is intended to provide even more opportunity for vendors and visitors to participate, according to Farmers Market Manager Charlie Reed. While the existing market currently runs from 3 to 6 p.m. every Wednesday, the second market will run on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

For its trial run, the second market will begin at DSFM’s original location at The Triangle on Saturday, Nov. 5. It will run weekly through Saturday, Dec. 31, with the exception of Dec. 3 (the weekend of the Christmas on Mercer festival), after which point the city will re-evaluate and determine the demand for the second market.

“Dripping Springs has grown significantly since the Farmers Market opened in 2009, and over the last year, we’ve consistently received feedback from customers and vendors asking for us to expand to Saturdays,” said Reed. “A lot of folks who’ve moved to Dripping Springs want the benefits of a farmers market but don’t have access during the workweek. With Dripping Springs’ growth as well as its evolution into a regional destination, the city feels there is potential in offering a bi-weekly service that increases access to healthy and local choices for residents and visitors, and this trial run during the busy holiday season will give us greater insight into how strong that demand is without impacting the success of the established Wednesday market.”