Leon Springs Market in the News!

Two stories within two days... pretty good press!

• Northwest Side Farmers Markets Join Forces (Northwest Weekly (via MySA.com), 16 July 2009)

• All Natural Food Companies Are Sprouting (San Antonio Express-News, 17 July 2009) Although the story covers vendors from across the city, it includes a mention of regular Leon Springs vendor Tracy Carlson and her brownie company:

The Green Brownie Co.

Tracy Carlson started The Green Brownie Co. in October. She offers 100 percent organic and gluten-free brownies.

The Green Brownie Co. is a fully licensed eco-friendly bakery. Products are made without oils, artificial flavorings or preservatives and are baked in glassware, not aluminum pans. The company also uses all-natural packaging and recycles.

The gluten-free brownies are made with a mixture of organic brown rice flour and organic ground raw almonds.

"We started at the Leon Springs Farmers Market, and I had such an incredible number of requests for gluten-free because it's such an issue," Carlson said. "Gluten is the protein in wheat. So many people get deathly ill from it — they can't tolerate it and it's a hard thing for them to find food. I've been amazed at the response."

Carlson worked with two dietitians who helped her with the gluten-free recipe and the nutritional panel and ingredient listing on the package label.

The gluten-free and original "green" brownie, made with organic semisweet chocolate and cocoa, as well as "green" brownies-on-a-stick and a new gluten-free berry bar, can be purchased at the Leon Springs Farmers Market, 24133 Boerne Stage Road, on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m-1 p.m. and the Boerne Farmers Market, Kendall County Fairgrounds front lot, Texas 46 east of Boerne, on Wednesdays from 2-6 p.m.

The Green Brownie Co. also caters parties and events. Visit www.thegreenbrowniecompany.com.

Looking for local food?

Leon Springs Farmers Market is included in the MySA.com database of area markets.

DinnerGarden.org Needs YOU!

As you may have read in a recent San Antonio Express-News article, San Antonio resident Holly Hirshberg envisions homegrown produce sown from FREE seeds in the yards and alleys of ordinary people. Her non-profit group, The Dinner Garden is seeking donations of money and seeds to help ensure food security for folks nationwide. Consider helping her group, if you can.

Market Vendor Steve Blank Featured in Regional Magazine!

From the current issue of Country Lifestyle:

Steve Blank’s inspiration for his new career grew slowly over several years. “My wife and I would drive up to Austin on weekends, stopping into Whole Foods and Central Market for fresh bread,” says Blank. “I guess you’d say that we’re foodies. And it eventually dawned on us that what San Marcos really needed was a good bread store.”

Blank opened his 800-square foot Phoenix Rising Bakery in September 2006. “The bakery is small, but I set it up so that customers can see every aspect of the process,” says Blank. “I designed it to be one big open room, with mixers and tables in full view. When you walk in the front door, you see the large, wood-fired brick oven right away.”

The oven, together with Blank’s commitment to using quality, all-natural ingredients, sets Phoenix Rising apart from large commercial operations. In an age in which grocery chains rely upon ready-made bases and mixes to create goods labeled “artisan,” Blank insists upon the age-old—and time-consuming—bread-making process.  

Read more.

Seen at the Market

This morning's market was lively...lots of fresh veggies, a couple of chickens at the egg stand, wonderful bread and more. Santuario Sisterfarm was selling a wonderful selection of organic items, including plants from heirloom seed stock. Oh, and a crew of chefs from Westin La Cantera was spotted checking out the fresh-from-the-farm goodies.

Remember: although vendors and selection may vary from week to week, there's always something tasty at the market!

Into the Market & Into the Garden

It's planting season here in Central Texas. Which means now is the perfect time to plan a visit to Leon Springs Farmers Market. Look for plant starts in the coming weeks. For instance, today one of the vendors had a wonderful selection of heirloom tomatoes.

The first of the strawberries are starting to arrive, too. They're the perfect snack or star in your favorite dessert. Buy extra to slice and freeze.

As ever, bear in mind that the market's selection varies week to week. And, of course, the early bird gets the worm. So, come early and often!

Simple Pleasures Granola

Simple Pleasures Granola (Leon Springs Farmers Market) from P.Price on Vimeo.

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