About the Central Texas Farmers Co-Op

By Andrea Mau
Web Content Contributor

The Central Texas Farmers Co-Op is a group of local farmers in central Texas who contribute to a weekly subscription service of fresh vegetables. The San Marcos location for pick-up is at Zelicks every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The pick-up is like a drive through, so members can simply take their cars to pick up their bountiful or individually sized harvest.

My experiences with the pick-up service has been very friendly, and all members wear a mask or an equivalent and gloves. The entire transaction takes place from your car, and since you pay beforehand, there is no hassle with payment. Their simple grab-n-go system makes the experience quite speedy and efficient.   

Before every pick-up, the Central Texas Farmers’ Newsletter will announce what vegetables will be delivered this week, as well as details of all the farms who have contributed. Some of these farms and gardens include Back to The Garden, Boxcar Farm & Garden and Gray Gardens. The newsletter also comes with suggestions for delicious dishes based on those vegetables. One of my favorite menu items is the Vietnamese pancake, Bánh Xèo.

Because of the Central Texas Farmer pick-up, I have expanded the foods in my diet, as well as learned many different side dishes to cook that I never would have tried otherwise. Although some people may be hesitant to sign up for a subscription with only in-season vegetables, I believe this contributes to the benefits of the subscription which pushes consumers outside their comfort zone when it comes to food.

It is not lost on anyone’s mind the environmental benefit of buying local too. Using produce from Texas will not only support local farmers and strengthen our community, but reduce the environmental costs of importing. 

Vegetables are only one part of what the Central Texas Farmers provide, offering subscriptions for animal products, such as meat and eggs as well. Unfortunately, Central Texas Farmers have recently sold out of every subscription except for pork and eggs for the rest of spring 2020. 

However, you can still buy local. One of Central Texas Farmers’ providers is a San Marcos garden, Thigh High Gardens. This garden also participates in the San Marcos’ farmers market which occurs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Square. I highly encourage watching out for openings in the Central Texas Farmers’ subscriptions, and buying local in the meantime at our very own markets.  

Featured screenshot by Andrea Mau via the Central Texas Farmers Co-Op.