17 Houston Farmers Markets Worth Checking Out
According to The Texas Department of Agriculture, 86% of the land in the state is used for agricultural production, so it's easy to see why you'll find farmers markets scattered all across Houston. They differ in size and rotating vendors, but you'll usually find a variety of goods at each one, including locally sourced produce, dairy products, and meat; specialty and baked items; homemade crafts; or even a quick meal or drink. Looking for an organic alternative to what you'd typically find in the grocery store? You'll likely come across a co-op in town that will have it.
And let's face it — there's a reason why vegetables taste better from a farmers market than a grocery store. Edible goods coming directly from the producer rather than a middleman simply make them "fresher, tastier, and more nutritious," according to FoodPrint. And there's nothing like having access to these products by simply visiting your local co-op.
That said, Houston is a pretty big food city, so if you're looking for a new farmers market to frequent, here's our list of some that are worth checking out, according to locals.
Memorial Villages Farmers Market
Located in a small nook away from the bustle of Memorial City, Memorial Villages Farmers Market is the perfect getaway destination for families wanting to shop for local artisan goods. The vendors tend to rotate every other week, but you'll find a few here consistently. Visitors should explore the entire co-op to see what's available, but popular products and stands include goat cheese and milk (from Swede Farm Dairy), organic produce, baked goods (from Hestia Baking Company), local raw honey, farm-raised meat and eggs, and canned artisan items.
There are also plenty of amenities, including a pet-friendly environment, a playground for kids, live music, public restrooms, food and drink vendors (we highly recommend the lemonade stand), and a picnic area. The co-op is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine.
Houston Farmers Market
The Houston Farmers Market has been around for over 75 years. Although it had humble beginnings, it is now one of the biggest co-ops you'll find in the city, with produce, grocery, and food and drink stands stretched across 18 acres.
Despite the variety of vendors and restaurants that have made this market their home, visitors mostly recommend checking out some of the artisan spices and herbs, in addition to the authentic Mexican wares and products. Keep in mind that some stands here only take cash, so be prepared.
The co-op is open from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily and only closes on Christmas and New Year's Day, making it pretty accessible if you don't have time to visit one of the weekend-only markets on this list.
Tomball Farmers Market
The Tomball Farmers Market is home to over 70 vendors, offering a range of products from homemade goods to artisan meats. Locals love the varied selection but seem to prefer visiting the craft, barbecue, and sauce and salsa stands. If there's a specific vendor you've got your eye on or are trying to find, check out the market's Facebook group, where you can connect directly with all of its farmers and artisans with booths.
Amenities at the market include a pet and kid-friendly park, public restrooms, and nearby restaurants and shops within a walkable distance. The co-op is open every Saturday, year-round, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. However, we recommend getting there early to claim better parking and the best selection of goods.
Rice Village Farmers Market
The Rice Village Farmers Market is located in the heart of Rice Village, home to various retailers and restaurants within walking distance. The co-op features over 40 vendors, with most stands selling artisan goods and crafts. Some popular stalls include Acasa Margaritas, Bee2Bee Honey, and Scotty's Stout Sauerkraut.
Rain or shine, the market is open every first and third Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Note that parking is limited to nearby streets and the public garage (free for up to two hours), so we recommend getting there early. If you happen to miss a Sunday, don't worry; the Heights Mercantile Farmers Market, its sister co-op, is open every second and fourth Sunday of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and usually features similar — if not the same — vendors.
Westchase District Farmers Market
A smaller co-op than others on this list, the Westchase District Farmers Market has a little over 24 vendors, but what it lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for in quality. Besides seasonal produce, you can find prepared desserts, canned artisan items, arts and crafts, spice blends, essential oils, and more.
The local raw honey stands are particularly popular among customers. If you're feeling hungry, visitors recommend checking out one of the Indian or BBQ food stands for a delicious mid-day meal.
The co-op is open every Thursday from 3 p.m. until dark, which is perfect for people who want to check it out after work. Free parking is available on location if you plan to drive there. However, you can also catch a direct ride to the market via Houston's METRO bus system (Route 82 from Westheimer).
Urban Harvest Farmers Market
The Urban Harvest Farmers Market is dedicated to being a one-stop shop for fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, and more for underserved communities. Here, you'll find producers from all across the greater Houston area, offering a large selection of goods ranging from plants to seafood. On top of that, the co-op's prepared food vendors source many of their ingredients from these same local farms and growers.
Urban Harvest is open every Saturday, year-round, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., rain or shine. There's a free parking garage within walking distance for visitors, but know that there's usually traffic in the area, so it's better to get there early. If you happen to miss the main event, the co-op hosts mobile markets across multiple locations at different times of the week.
Farmers Market Partners
Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in southwest Houston, you'll find Farmers Market Partners, a co-op with stands for fresh produce, eggs, farm-raised meat, baked goods, artisan creations, specialty foods, organic products, and various food trucks. If you're looking for a new producer to try, the market usually promotes a rotating roster of stalls that you can check out every week. Its website even has a map to help you find exactly where they'll be.
The co-op also has occasional events highlighting one of its vendors, local businesses, or non-profit organizations. And every once in a while, you may find a "Kidpreneur" lemonade stand for patrons to purchase from and support young entrepreneurs. Ages 5 to 12, these little enterprisers are part of the market's Young Sprouts Club, designed to help teach kids how to run their own businesses.
East End Houston Farmers Market
Although the East End Houston Farmers Market has grown with a larger variety of rotating stalls since its inception in 2015, it's still a pretty intimate co-op that doesn't get too crowded for a weekend visit. You'll find a great selection of vendors offering fresh produce, prepared foods, and artisan wares. Beyond shopping, you can enjoy live music, and if you're still hungry for a formal meal, head over to one of the nearby restaurants off Navigation Boulevard.
East End is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday. However, we recommend checking out its Facebook page to stay up to day on any closures due to severe weather conditions or holidays.
Nassau Bay Farmers Market
If you're willing to travel a little outside of Houston's city limits, we recommend visiting the Nassau Bay Farmers Market near League City and Clear Lake. The co-op has a decent variety of vendors, offering meats and seafood, produce, artisan soaps, and more. There are also a few organic producers on rotation that offer goods like grass-fed meat and local raw honey.
Along with this wide-ranging selection, one of the highlights of this particular market has to be the beverages offered by 3rd Coast Kombucha. The small business only uses locally sourced organic ingredients and has a large menu of regular and seasonal drinks — enough for you to try something new every weekend. The Nassau Bay co-op is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Freedmen's Town Farmers Market
One of the newer co-ops on our list, the Freedmen's Town Farmers Market strives to provide access to affordable, fresh produce within one of Houston's food deserts in Fourth Ward. According to PaperCity, its founder, Sade Perkins, realized that despite this city sector being home to mixed-income households, there are no grocers, as the closest grocery store is a 30-minute walk away. To fill this literal food desert gap, Perkins launched the Freedmen's Town Farmers Market, hoping that it would not only solve food insecurity issues in the area but also bring the immediate community closer together.
And true to Perkins' goal, the co-op does just that. There, you'll find a variety of stalls with quality organic goods and producers who truly care about their products and people. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday, rain or shine.
Braeswood Farmers Market
The Braeswood Farmers Market hosts over 50 vendors, with offerings ranging from fresh, organic produce to tasty baked goods, coffee, and crafts. Some of the more popular stands offer pasture-raised eggs, Fredericksburg peaches, mushrooms, and an assortment of teas. You can't get more variety than that!
If walking around the market works up an appetite for you, the co-op also has food trucks and other prepared food vendors on rotation. Locals say the gumbo from Rouxlicious is especially good. The Braeswood Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., but you should definitely get there early to claim your share of goods before producers run out. If you can't arrive until later, however, know that you won't have to worry about parking, as there's plenty available.
Farmers Market on Grand Parkway
Formally known as the LaCenterra Farmers Market, this co-op has recently moved to a new, convenient location off of West Grand Parkway. However, the vendors haven't changed one bit, and the market still aims to offer locals access to sustainably grown produce, crafts, and more. Customers recommend picking up some farm-fresh eggs, baked goods, grass-fed beef, and specialty coffee, although there are a few other artisan stands also worth checking out. For lunch, stop by the Best Indian Food stand for a filling meal.
The co-op is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. This is a bit earlier than some other markets, so if you're a morning person, definitely check this one out. For any updates, the co-op recommends visiting its Facebook page the Friday before.
Jersey Village Farmers Market
Founded in 2017 and sponsored by the city of Jersey Village's parks and recreation department, this market is more known for its selection of artisan and craft vendors. Unlike other co-ops on this list, it has a pretty limited selection of fresh produce providers. However, you can still walk away with a few good picks like homemade soap and candles, mixed spices and herbs, baked bread, and jarred and pickled items from local producers. Every once in a while, you'll also find prepared food vendors serving snacks and full meals.
Because the market aims to bring the community together, it is a family and pet-friendly (with a leash policy) event. It is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every first and third Sunday and is located at the Jersey Village Civic Center.
Eleanora's Market
In the Houston Heights area, you'll come across Eleanora's Market. It's a smaller open-air co-op that hosts various vendors, featuring everything from fresh, organic produce to arts and crafts. If you're looking for the basics, you'll likely find them here. However, visitors particularly recommend the available farm-raised meat and eggs, coffee, and artisan goods.
The farmers market isn't too far from the Heights' popular food and drink scene, so if you don't end up with anything that requires refrigeration, take a side trip to one of the nearby restaurants for lunch. Alternatively, a couple of prepared food vendors on-site may have some pretty decent options if you prefer not to stray too far. This Houston co-op is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Farmers Market on Tamina
In Magnolia, you'll find the Farmers Market on Tamina, a mid-sized co-op that hosts up to 50 vendors every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. While it may not have as much produce as other markets, it does have a good selection of quality artisan foods and crafts available. In fact, every year, it hosts a special European-inspired holiday market in December. If you're shopping for unique homemade gifts, this co-op is worth a visit.
When you first get there, we recommend swinging by the "Welcome Roost" and claiming a signature complimentary cocktail to sip on as you browse. Note that when you arrive, parking may be a little harder to come by, but there are volunteers on site that can help direct you to available spots.
Farmers Market at Imperial
The Farmers Market at Imperial is sponsored by the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce and, despite its smaller size, is home to various local farmers, artisans, chefs, and other producers. Besides produce, visitors recommend picking up some raw local honey, delicious tamales, and quality cuts of meat while you're there.
If you're wanting to bring home a sweet treat, snag a (Texas-favorite) pecan pie if one happens to still be available. Once you've filled up on snacks and food from some of the many prepared food vendors, take a stroll through the beautiful park nearby. The co-op is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is conveniently located at the Imperial Park Recreation Center in Sugar Land, so ample parking is available.
The Woodlands Farmers Market at Grogan's Mill
If you're looking for a farmers market with variety — and you're willing to drive a little further north of Houston — we recommend visiting this co-op. It's kid and pet-friendly, with live music and plenty of stands to browse. Beyond organic produce, customers recommend checking out the artisan soaps.
Although the Woodlands Farmers Market at Grogan's Mill is open every Saturday year-round, it has different operating hours depending on the season. During the summer and early fall seasons (July through September), it's open from 9 a.m. to noon. For the rest of the year, it's open from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. There's also plenty of parking, so you don't have to worry about getting there early to guarantee a spot. However, as with the other co-ops on this list, an earlier arrival means you'll have more products to choose from.