Houston Lags Other Major Metros in Texas for Number of Farmers Markets

by John Egan
March 13, 2017

When it comes to the presence of farmers markets, Houston, TX, is like a wilted head of lettuce.

A LawnStarter analysis of data from the U.S. Agricultural Marketing Service shows the Houston metro area has only 0.25 federally registered farmers markets per 100,000 residents -- the lowest per-capita share among the four major metro areas in Texas. Austin has the most farmers markets among the four major metro areas, with 1.3 per 100,000 residents. The entire state has 0.76 farmers markets per 100,000 residents, which is the lowest per-capita amount for the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

So, what’s going on here? Why are Houston and rest of Texas such a barren land in terms of farmers markets? It may boil down, at least in part, to the fact that registration with the federal Agricultural Marketing Service is optional, not mandatory. Therefore, not all farmers markets in Texas or elsewhere are included in the marketing service’s Farmers Market Directory.

This is one of two Urban Harvest farmers markets in Houston.
Photo: Urban Harvest/Adam Brackman

Jennifer Dorsett, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Agriculture, says 70 farmers markets with 110 locations are certified by the state Department of Agriculture. Some states don’t require certification, such as Texas, while others do.

“Some markets are too small to afford the certification fees,” Dorsett says, “and others may be seasonal or occasional markets that don’t see the benefit in being certified.”

State-certified farmers markets in Texas racked up $20.13 million in sales in 2016, translating into an economic impact of $36.6 million, she says.

Houston’s City Hall hosts a farmers market every Wednesday.
Photo: YouTube/City of Houston

The federal directory lists 17 farmers markets in the Houston metro area.

“Houston’s culinary scene is robust, with over 10,000 restaurants representing flavors from over 70 countries. But beyond the restaurants they represent, chefs in Houston have shown great support for local producers and farmers,” say Leah Shah, a spokeswoman for Visit Houston.

She adds: “Houston’s farmers markets connect residents with Texas farmers, which helps nurture a more connected community, supports the local food economy and provides an alternative for people looking to purchase locally grown produce.”

To find out more about farmers markets in a certain area, hover over the circle above the city’s name. For a list of farmers markets in that area, click on the circle associated with that city.

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Top Photo: Visit Houston