Farmers market to open in Cedar Park

By Joseph M. de Leon Monday, 01 March 2010

CEDAR PARK — Carla Jenkins hopes recent freezes and rains have not taken too much of a toll on Texas farmers. She knows residents in the area are eager to buy fresh produce and plans to launch a farmers market in Cedar Park starting March 27.

“The weather’s been really rough on the farmers this year,” Jenkins said. “Farming is a tough, tough business to compete against the big corporation, and the weather didn’t help, but we’ll do everything we can to support local farmers and ranchers and get them to Cedar Park.”

She plans to bring 20 or more farmers, ranchers and other vendors 9 a.m.–1 p.m. every Saturday rain or shine in the parking lot of 1890 Ranch, 1455 E. Whitestone Blvd., in Cedar Park. The market will close for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Visitors to Cedar Park Farms to Market will recognize Jenkins because she always wears a blue baseball cap with a horse embroidered on front.

“I think what’s happening with people nowadays is they are paying attention to the food they eat and they’ve learned preservatives are so unhealthy,” she said. “At a farmers market, you can look the farmers right in the face and ask them about the food they grow.”

Only Texas vendors are allowed at the market. In addition to fresh and some organic produce, such products as honey, beef, shrimp, pork and eggs will be available.

The market will include activities for children, such as butter making, live music and workshops that encourage healthy or green living, such as how to grow vegetables.

Jenkins hopes a stage for live music will keep the crowd entertained and make the market more than just a place to buy food. Cedar Park artists, including youngsters, will take the stage throughout the day to encourage live music and the arts.

The Cedar Park Farms to Market will be managed by F2M Texas, a nonprofit corporation Jenkins formed to provide area farmers with profitable direct-marketing opportunities and to offer area residents a wide variety of fresh, locally-produced foods in a convenient location.

Jenkins hopes to open several other markets in the Austin area and is negotiating a deal south of Austin that could open a market in Buda or Kyle before the end of the year.

“The benefits really go both ways—the public gets great, fresh food and the farmers get a special sense of accomplishment when they get feedback from the people who are consuming their food,” Jenkins said. “Farmers might walk away with an idea for how to improve the growing process or learn what kind of food people in the area need.”

Cedar Park Farms to Market
Starting, March 27, 2010
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
1890 Ranch Shopping Center, Cedar Park
363-5700