ALAMO HEIGHTS FARMERS MARKET

Local Food For Local People

WORDS BY KIMBERLY SUTA | PHOTOS BY ALAMO HEIGHTS FARMERS MARKET

The Alamo Heights Farmers Market, located in the parking lot near Whole Foods at the Quarry Market, is dedicated to providing “local food for local people.”

“We’ve always been focused on local,” says owner and market manager, Danielle Rodriguez. “We’re the market that doesn’t aim for tourists, but every day San Antonio residents.”

Rodriguez says the market’s repeat customers love the location’s convenience and its ease of parking.

“Plus, they know they can trust the quality and have built relationships with the vendors. Everyone knows each other by first name. It’s a tight community,” she says.

In fact, this has been my primary go-to market for the past few years, largely due to its convenience. If I’m in a hurry, I can be in and out in no time. I can also attest to the fact that visiting with the vendors is one of the reasons why I continue to go back. Not only are they knowledgeable about their products and often food in general, but they are also simply good people making incredible products.

There’s just something inherently special about buying food directly from the people who grow it and make it. In this environment, transparency is prioritized, unlike at some corporate grocery stores, where you have no idea who’s making your food, how they are making it and with what ingredients. These vendors welcome questions about their products and the vendor options run the gamut but typically don’t repeat.

“We will forever and always be a ‘farmers’ market. There’s a reason why we don’t have arts and crafts. You’re getting to meet the people who are picking your produce, usually fresh that day, before they go to the market,” says Rodriguez.

The Alamo Heights Farmers Market has two consistent farmer vendors, 9-1 Produce and Wholesome Harvest Farm, that bring a variety of the freshest, locally grown seasonal veggies, from greens like kale and bok choy to squash, okra, tomatoes, sprouts and so much more. They often have jams and pickles as well as chicken and duck eggs.

AHFM includes ranchers too. B Healthy Meats pops up with high-quality Texas Longhorn grass-fed beef. I typically buy the ground beef with an all-beef patty, blistered tomatoes, spring mix, fig jam and a balsamic drizzle on sourdough buns made by vendor, Concha Style. for tacos or burgers, but they offer a wide array of fine cuts. Goatilicious Dairy and Cheesery makes a variety of utterly addicting goat cheeses and the most divine cajeta (Mexican caramel) I have ever tasted in my life. It goes great in your morning coffee.

Thankfully, the market’s got a new mushroom vendor, Groovy Girl Mushrooms, to provide some of those freshly harvested ‘shrooms for the vegan mushroom burger. This is the kind of “circle of life” mentality that customers cherish.

You will also find low-salt spice blends from Robert Brews, sparkling teas made with health enhancing olive leaves from Special Leaf, my dogs’ favorite dog treats from Lucky Dog Bakery, premium botanical skincare products from In The Weeds and more.

Some of the newer vendors on the block include Saddle Up Artisan Brittles that make a number of yummy brittles and bark with different types of nuts; True Hemp Science, which sells CBD products like gummies, oils and tinctures, and Ruya Flowers that makes gorgeous arrangements and bouquets from dried flowers that they grow and dry themselves.

As an added bonus, Rodriguez, who is also a chef, operates a food booth called 6202 SA Foods and whips up elevated comfort food like breakfast sandwiches and burgers that utilize the ingredients and artisan-made products of her vendors. The goat cheese fig burger is made with Goatilicious’ garlic and herb goat cheese, along

Although not a huge market, it’s versatile. I have always felt like it has everything I need and then some. I also appreciate that I can bring my dog and some of the vendors even put water out for pets. Additionally, Rodriguez makes sure to provide entertainment — either live music or a DJ — and, if you’re lucky, you might even get to witness some improv performances.

“Some people like to break out into dance in the middle of the parking lot. No kidding, it just happened this past Sunday several times when the song ‘Suavemente’ was playing,” laughs Rodriguez.

This, for me, is just the icing on the local, scratch-made artisan cake.