Now in its 18th year, farmer’s market has loyal customers

Festive atmosphere mixes with ability to buy fresh produce, dairy and meat.

The sun shines brightly as people move among the various tents set up on the parking lot. The air is filled with the sound of live music and quiet chatting between the various visitors.

This is the usual scene at the Barton Creek Farmer’s Market, situated at the Barton Creek Square mall every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

At the market, a generally festive attitude prevails as people shop and examine the organic foods being sold by the vendors. Despite the atmosphere, some vendors feel that the market has had a recent decline in visitors.

“We see less people now,” said vendor Max Kelly, who has been at the market since 1997. “There were hardly any other farmer’s markets in town, and there wasn’t Trader Joe’s or other grocery stores that carry these kinds of food.”

Started in 1997 by Pamela Boyar, the market was originally situated in the downtown Whole Foods parking lot and was Austin’s first farmer’s market.

From there, the market moved to a variety of locations, including the Westlake High School parking lot, before settling at the Barton Creek Square, its current location, in early 2010.

Salila Travers took over as director of the market about six years ago when Boyar moved to Hawaii. Travers says she has enjoyed her work largely because of the opportunity to support local farmers and budding businesses.

“Being at the market is always great fun. The market is full of life and not complicated,” Travers said. “It is about getting good food, listening to good music and seeing fellow human beings in a festive atmosphere.

“You can’t get any better food anywhere — fresh organically grown vegetables and fruits, high-quality dairy and pasture-raised meats are hard to beat. We even have excellent fresh, not frozen, seafood.”

Each week, there can be anywhere from 70 to 100 vendors, Travers says.

The prepared food vendors use a lot of local, organic and nutritional ingredients; some examples are El Cruz Ranch Cafe, Tacodeli and Garbo’s Lobster Truck.

Many small businesses made their start at the market, such as the Mediterranean Chef and Daily Greens juice, both of which can now be

Each week, there can be anywhere from 70 to 100 vendors, many of whom use organic ingredients.

found in major local grocery stores.

The market also has activities for children: balloon making, face painting and even a petting zoo once a month. Each week, there is live music, managed by Jimmy Joe and Chrissie Natoli, a local husband-wife musical duo.

All that combines to make a nice experience for shoppers, and keeps many of them coming back regularly.

“I started coming here about a year ago,” shopper Ted LeClair said. “I thought it was neat, and I come here maybe once a month now. It’s just a great thing to do, and we have three little kids, so it’s something for them to do, too.”

Those who wish to support the farmer’s market further than by simply shopping there can do so, too.

There will be an amateur pie baking contest Oct. 24 as a fundraiser for a farmer’s relief fund.

The fund will be used to help farmers in an emergency.

For example, one local farmer who regularly attends the market recently needed a new well dug for water, but was unable to afford it.

Additionally, volunteers can support the farmers by helping them set up or tear down tents on Saturdays. To get involved, visit bartoncreekfarmersmarket.org.