The July sunshine is brutal in Houston, so smear on some SPF 60, grab your straw hat and let’s go to a farmers’ market. We write about the city’s farmers’ markets in My Table and SideDish often, but we hadn’t been in a while to the Tuesday afternoon farmers’ market held at Rice University near the football stadium. Time to revisit!
We love this market and the way it supports both the area farmers and purveyors, as well as the Medical Center by providing fresh, sustainably raised goods just steps away from the hospital corridors.
As a matter of fact, this is peak season for Rice University Farmers’ Market, and market director CJ Claverlie recently caught me up on what’s new. When I asked what she thought would be the “next big thing,” she directed me to the Grass on the Go stall, a Houston-based grower and distributer of wheatgrass. Alan Barrera, president of Grass on the Go, filled me in on the benefits of wheatgrass and noted that regular consumption detoxifies the blood and maintains liver health. Barrera flash-freezes the grass into cubes, which preserves the nutrients and the flavor. These little cubes are then dissolved in a glass of water to drink. Much to my surprise it was pretty good. At first it tasted like I had just taken a bite out of my front lawn, but it soon gave way to a sweet, crisp aftertaste. Don’t be surprised when you hear about this at the gym sometime soon – or maybe you already have.
The Rice University market is open all year, rain or shine, and with the summer comes gorgeous fruits and vegetables, most notably peaches in the summer. Claverlie calls it the “Peach Parade” – succulent, juicy peaches from local vendors, such as Cap’n Jack’s Peaches in Angleton, fill the market stalls and are one of the market’s hottest buys. Other locally grown produce includes tomatoes, figs, squash, okra, honey, eggplant, garlic and mushrooms.
How is the market doing during the drought? “It’s tough, of course, but we’re doing just as well as ever,” CJ assured me. “Per person purchases are up 50 percent, and the supportive local following makes it all possible.” And with vendors such as Atkinson Farms (vegetables), Maison Burdisso (macaroons, pizza, tarts), Cellar Farms (greens, honey, citrus) and Blue Heron Farms (goat cheese), it’s easy to see why people return week after week. Other things you’ll find here: lavender-based products, fresh-baked dog and cat treats, organic baby food, homemade breads, hand-cured bacon and sausage and Gulf seafood.
With the sound of a university ensemble playing in the background, the market was a joy despite the heat. Every stall not only has beautiful food, but the farmers and owners have stories of their own. So while you stock up on goodies, strike up a conversation. (Be sure to stop by the Healing Thru Dirt table and ask Jennifer how she got started – fascinating woman!)
By the time I left, both arms were loaded with bags full of fruits and vegetables and my favorite peach cobbler recipe was running through my mind. If you’re just getting off work or you’re in the neighborhood, stop by Rice University farmers’ market between 3:30 and 7 pm every Tuesday for good food and a good time.