HUTTO SILO FARMERS MARKET

Summertime in Austin is the best! If you live in Williamson County, you will find the locals on a Sunday morning behind the Cotton Gin in the Hutto Co-Op District at the Hutto Silo Farmers Market. On July 24, 2022, the Boone/ Schwendel family (Emylee, sister Amy, and mother, Gina) opened the first market, wanting a Sunday outdoor market that the Round Rock, Taylor and surrounding areas would have a place to buy fresh local produce and other wonderful products close to home.

There are so many things that l admire about this market. First, it’s easy to find because it's right off U.S. Highway 79 — if you pass the silos, you know you’ve gone too far. When I met Emylee, she mentioned that she grew up on a farm in South Georgia and her grandparents had three silos on their property.

“Seeing them in Hutto brought back childhood memories. When they were looking for a name for the market, it was only fitting to add silo” she says.

As you drive under the big blue and grey steel sign that reads “The Co-Op,” you will find plenty of complimentary parking.

My first market tip: Stop by the information booth and sign up to become a VIP member. This will get you advance access to giveaways, sales announcements, birthday celebrations and you’ll receive a free reusable Hutto Silo shopping bag to use that day. Emylee, who is the market manager, is also a vendor. She sells freshly baked, all-natural dog treats at the information booth.

One of my biggest rules for shopping at any market is to explore the whole market before you buy. The best way to start your adventure at Hutto Silo is with a glass of Texas wine at the Texas Exits Wine booth. Shari Lee and Sherrill Erwin, a mother and daughter team, named their wines after the exits off of Texas highways that lead to historic towns. You are welcome to sample all four of their varietals and purchase a cup for $8 to enjoy as you walk around the market. On the hot summer day I visited, I enjoyed a chilled cup of their sweet white Exit 284.

If you prefer something other than wine to start your shopping experience, stop by Nick Pierce's booth for a good cup of hot or iced coffee. Mossy Rock Coffee is a specialty coffee roasting company based in Hutto.

Pierce has five flavors, plus one named Nick, which is a Sumatra Mandheling and Bali Blue Moon blend. Like at any great market, you will find heaps of fresh produce to peruse, so I stopped by Big Blue Sky Farm and met Charles and Jennifer Bannister and their dog Fiona, who never misses a market. What a beautiful display of fresh produce and eggs! They also sell beef, pork and chicken. The next stop was the No Label Mushroom booth. Travis French, the owner, quickly approached me and shared his wealth of knowledge and love for the wild mushrooms he grows. French’s tip for storing mushrooms: Once you get them home, wrap

Hutto Silo FM

Located behind the Cotton Gin at the Hutto Co-Op 420 US-79, Hutto

Sundays

11 a.m.-3 p.m.

25 + Vendors

Family Fun!

Market Manager: Emylee Boone Amy and Gina Schwendel huttosilosfarmersmarket.com

Instagram: @huttosilosfarmersmarket

Facebook: Hutto Silo Farmers Market them in parchment paper and place them in the fridge. He said to never store them inside a plastic bag because they will quickly rot. Another tip? Vendors are always eager to share their knowledge. Just ask.

I also stopped by and chatted with Christina Hernandez, owner of Moon Heart Apothecary, who uses family recipes passed down from her Lipan/ Apache grandmothers. I sampled Dapper Goat Dairy cheeses and hung out with a wizard named John Lacaze, who sells wood-engraved signs. Allow him to use his magic to create a unique sign for you at his WizardsBeard Company booth. What a fun day!

Hutto Silo is a great place to shop. Join their group of VIPs and spend Sundays behind the Cotton Gin.

See you at the market!

Yolanda Nagy travels throughout Texas highlighting farmers markets to share easy recipes and shopping tips. Follow her on Instagram @eatin_and_sippin_locally