Farmers Market ranked top in Texas and Southwest

The Dripping Springs Farmers Market is once again the cream of the crop in Texas. That’s according to the results of the Farmers Market Celebration, a contest organized by the national organization, American Farmland Trust.

The contest, which celebrates Farmers Markets across the country, not only recognized the Dripping Springs Farmers Market as #1 Texas, but also recognized it as the #1 Farmers Market in the Southwest. Markets were voted on by patrons and shoppers at the local farmers markets. After months of participation and voting throughout the nation, the results were released this week.

This is the second year in a row that the Dripping Springs Farmers Market has won coveted recognition of being #1 in Texas.

“We’re excited to not only win two years in a row, but to also be #1 in the Southwest,” Market Manager Laurel Robertson said. “Our market is small but growing – just like Dripping Springs. Our community supports us and makes us the best market in the Southwest!” Easily recognizable for her signature large hat, which she wears for sun protection, Robertson can usually be found at the market welcoming neighbors and tourist.

Gouri Johannsen, Association Board Chair of the Farmers Market, had similar comment. "It is a great endorsement to be voted #1 in Texas second time in a row and this year, in the entire Southwest!” Johannsen said. “We are very grateful to our customers, vendors, the City of Dripping Springs and all those who support us.  We are constantly working to improve our little market and look forward to serving this community for years to come."

Year round, the market is always fun with live music and space for kids and pets to romp in a park atmosphere. Plenty of picnic tables in the shade offer spots to enjoy ready-to-eat meals, regional wines by the glass or bottle, kombucha on tap, and a host of other locally made treats: fruit popsicles, handcrafted ice cream rolls, homemade pies, freshly popped caramel corn. 

In fall, the market fills with a colorful mix of warm and cool weather crops. Warm afternoons and cool nights provide tomatoes and green peas, melons alongside kale, peppers next to broccoli. Yard eggs are plentiful and pasture raised meats – beef, chicken, pork, lamb, and bison – are in ample supply. Enticed by the pleasant weather, neighbors and visitors come to shop, socialize, and enjoy live music. 

In November and December, fresh crops of jellies and jams line market tables, bakers bring traditional homemade goodies (pies, tarts, rustic rolls, sourdough baguettes, chewy macaroons and rich brownies), and local artisans and craftspeople offer handmade wares to holiday shoppers searching for unique gifts. Plenty of ready-to-eat food choices guarantee a quick and healthy dinner fix after a busy day during the holiday season.

The market continues in late winter with an amazing array of winter greens, root crops and hearty cold-weather fare. Farmers and ranchers are a hardy breed, so cold weather doesn’t prevent them from supplying their local community with the best foods available every week. (Market closes for dangerous weather conditions.) 

The Dripping Springs Farmers Market is operated by the city of Dripping Springs and a volunteer board of directors. The market is held every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park (also known as the Triangle) located at the corner of Hwy 290 and Ranch Road 12.  

For more information on the Dripping Springs Farmers Market, including lists of vendors and a weekly new update, visit- http://www.cityofdrippingsprings.com/page/fm.home .