Make shopping fun again this season by heading on over to one of Houston’s famous farmers markets. There are several situated in the Heights and surrounding areas, so you never have to travel far to get what you need. Grab some cash, sunscreen, and your shopping list, and see what these markets have to offer!
Farmers Markets
Heights Mercantile
There’s always something unique for sale at Heights Mercantile. Every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month, Heights Mercantile hosts a classic farmers market from 9 am to 1 pm. Pick up your sustainable pantry favorites and keep an eye out for hard-to-find fresh ingredients. The market’s twist on the expected is refreshing, with many weekends featuring pop-up events like jugglers, free face painting, dunk booths, and a DJ that entertains the crowd atop a Scooby Doo van.
Heights Mercantile also hosts seasonal artisan markets, each with over 50 talented vendors. Browse through small batch, handmade merchandise and support local small business owners. These items can make fantastic one-of-a-kind gifts for the special people in your life or great additions to your own collections. Of course, you don’t have to wait for a seasonal market to take advantage of the shops located at Heights Mercantile.
Heights Mercantile is located at 714 Yale Street. If you’re unable to make it to the market, don’t sweat it. They operate sister market Rice Village Farmers Market every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 9 am to 1 pm.
Eleanora’s Market
On Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm, Eleanora’s Market on Ella Boulevard features more than 30 vendors who sell high-quality cheeses, meats, eggs, honey, baked goods, specialty foods, and produce. In addition to delicious fresh foods, visitors can get their hands on textiles, jewelry, locally-produced art, home and bath goods, pet products, and natural body care products. Before you head home, consider buying fresh flowers from a small business to make the memory of your trip last!
Curious about the extensive vendor list at Eleanora’s Market? Depending on the lineup, you can expect a few familiar names like Three Brothers Bakery and Houston Winery among others. The market accepts cash, checks, and all major credit cards, so you don’t have to worry about hitting up the ATM on your way over.
Houston Farmers Market
You don’t have to wait until the weekend to enjoy this charming Houston market. Open daily from 5:30 am until 6 pm, the 18-acre Houston Farmers Market on Airline Drive is Houston’s largest farmers market. It offers some of the most vibrant produce the city has to offer along with specialty goods to keep your pantry full. Gather ingredients to prepare for a homecooked meal, or look around at the other goods for sale in the shaded open-air market. We love the blossoming flower baskets sold here! More than 35 vendors operate at this market every day of the year excluding Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Although the market looks modern, don’t be fooled: It has been operating for over 75 years, serving generations of residents. MLB Capital Partners purchased the market in 2017 and revitalized the property. In 2019, architects began work on an open-air pavilion with wholesale and retail space, seven climate-controlled buildings, and a one-acre green space.
The atmosphere at Houston Farmers Market is influenced by the buzz surrounding prepared foods. One of the first things visitors notice around lunchtime is the aroma of robust spices. There are some great restaurants on-site like Underbelly Burger and Wild Oats that are perfect for your next get-together.
East End Farmers Market
The next time you’re nearby EaDo on a Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm, check out East End Farmers Market. Experience the blend of culture, cuisine, and vibrant sights and sounds that define Texas and the tradition of some of Houston’s most popular markets. Visitors can sample fresh produce and prepared foods and marvel at the craftsmanship of talented local vendors. However, even if you don’t plan to purchase anything, a trip to the East End Farmers Market is always a good time. The atmosphere is bright and cheery – due at least in part to the colorful artwork that adorns the grounds. The market has even featured Grammy-nominated musicians like Melinda Hernandez!
Farmer Highlight
If you live in Houston, one of the farms you may have eaten produce from is Hope Farms. The seven-acre farm has a mission to grow organic, affordable produce without hurting the planet. New to the farm’s property is a 95,000-gallon rainwater capture system designed to let farmers use the precious resource once filtered. With an average yearly rainfall of 50 inches, Houston’s skies give the capture system plenty to fill up with. The water is used for washing produce, irrigating the land, and for kitchens and bathrooms. So, why is thoughtful water management important to the farm?
Water management systems like this one allow landowners to ensure that runoff is directed in the most effective way for human use and for the preservation of wildlife and the environment. Additionally, for nearly two decades, Hope Farms’ Recipe For Success Foundation has been combatting childhood obesity through targeted programs. Sustainable urban farming puts healthy food on the tables of families who might otherwise not have been able to access it. The rainwater capture system helps Hope Farms assist more vulnerable families. Perhaps other local farmers will follow in pursuing eco-friendly farming endeavors!
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