Atkinson Farms stocks beets and carrots at the City Hall Farmers Market.: Mayra Beltran : 29-95
Libby Kennedy, manager of Urban Harvest’s Sunday farmers market, is excited about the future.

On Sunday, the small market she oversaw at posh Highland Village shopping center will nearly triple in size when it moves two miles east to nearby Eastside on April 28.

“The location is synonymous with farmers markets,” Kennedy said, pointing to Urban Harvest’s Saturday market, which has a nearly 10-year history on Eastside. (The market’s official address is 3000 Richmond, but the market is in the parking lot behind that address.)
Tomatoes from Pine Valley Produce await visitors to the City Hall Farmers Market.: Mayra Beltran : 29-95
“We felt having the Sunday market there, too, just made sense. “There’s better parking, there’s more space for vendors.”

“We’ve toyed with moving the market for a long time,” Kennedy said, “and now is the time.”

Admittedly, the Highland Village market had been a challenge for vendors and shoppers.

“It really is a chicken-and-egg situation,” Kennedy said. “You can’t have one without the other.”

The good news is that Kennedy has gotten a great response to the relocated market from vendors. When it debuts it will feature 25 vendors, about half of whom are new to Urban Harvest markets.

Kennedy says it’s often 18 months from her first contact with a farmer or food artisan until he or she appears at one of Urban Harvest’s three weekly markets. Some of the new vendors at Sunday’s market “have been waiting in the wings for various reasons,” she said, adding that one factor in the Sunday markets’ favor is “this is the time of year that farmers have more product.”

Among the new vendors:

• Hog Creek Farms: This Magnolia family-owned farm provides seasonal fruits and vegetables, free-range eggs and pastured pork.
• Proverb Farm: This 2-acre farm in Alvin markets goat milk and cheese as well as fresh herbs.
  Urban Harvest operates three farmers markets: Saturday and Sunday at Eastside and Wednesday afternoons downtown at City Hall.

Donna Craft purchases produce from the Atkinson Farms stand at the City Hall.: Mayra Beltran : 29-95
Current markets
In recent years, the number of farmers markets has mushroomed. Some are small humble operations; others boast a festive atmosphere complete with live music, cooking demonstrations and food trucks.
All share a tasty notion: to nurture a better-educated consumer by facilitating conversations with food producers.
Some markets to check out:

TUESDAYS
Rice University Farmers Market
When: 3:30-7 p.m.
Where: Rice University, South Stadium Lot, 2100 University
Who's there:: More than 30 vendors showcasing everything from dog biscuits and organic baby food to infused vinegars and local honey. This is a very popular market and a boon to those with busy weekends, when most other markets take place.
Information:
farmersmarket.rice.edu
Brussel sprouts await customers at the farmers market.: Mayra Beltran : 29-95
WEDNESDAYS
City Hall Farmers Market
When: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. through June 26 (resumes in the fall)
Where: City Hall, 901 Bagby (garage parking available at 400 Rusk)
Who's there:: Two dozen vendors offering prepared foods and produce, as well as cooking demonstrations by local chefs. Tip: Arrive early and head straight to Melange Creperie, where Sean Carroll makes savory and sweet crepes. They’re worth the wait and easy to consume as you check out the rest of the market. Trust us.
Information:
urbanharvest.org

Eco-Farmers Market
When: 4-8 p.m.
Where: CityCentre, 800 Town and Country Blvd.
Who's there:: At this small market, vendors of fresh baked goods, ready-to-eat Indian fare and bath products encircle the plaza at this popular lifestyle center. Live music.
Information:
citycentrehouston.com

Feast of Artisans Farmer’s Market
When: 4-8 p.m.
Where: Woodlands Mall, 1201 Lake Woodlands in The Woodlands
Who's there:: In addition to fresh produce and locally farmed proteins, this market offers pickles, jams, wines, fresh pasta, coffee, cheeses and handmade chocolates.
Information: Facebook

THURSDAYS
Spring Branch Farmers Market
When: 2:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: Unitarian Fellowship of Houston, 1504 Wirt
Who's there:: This spanking-new market makes its debut this Thursday with 14 vendors, including Georgia’s Farm to Market. We expect the plentiful, adjacent parking will make popping into this market for a loaf of freshly baked bread or some free-range eggs quick and easy.

Kingwood Farmers Market
When: 3-7 p.m.
Where: Town Center Park, 8 N. Main in Kingwood
Who's there:: Nearly two dozen vendors offer local fruit and produce, artisan cheeses, fresh bread, jellies and jams at this market that is celebrating its fourth year. The park setting lends itself to picnicking.
Information: Facebook


Many of the markets feature chefs on hand to prepare a meal. At the City Hall, Sean Carroll of Melange Creperie makes a crepe.: Mayra Beltran : 29-95
SATURDAYS
Urban Harvest Farmers Market
When: 8 a.m.-noon
Where: Parking lot behind 3000 Richmond at Eastside
Who's there:: This is the granddaddy of Houston farmers markets, with more than 50 farmers and vendors selling everything from freshly harvested produce and artisan breads to grass-fed beef and emu eggs. This market gets a lot of regulars who are on a first-name basis with the vendors. Most markets feature live music, too. Go hungry and enjoy a hot breakfast from one of several chefs who cook for shoppers.
Information:
urbanharvest.org

The Farm Stand at Petrol Station
When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Petrol Station, 985 Wakefield
Who's there:: This small market features a dozen vendors selling produce, local honey, chicken and eggs.
Information: Facebook

White Oak Farmers Market
When: 8 a.m.-noon
Where: Onion Creek Cafe, 3106 White Oak
Who's there:: This once-flourishing market is “still hanging in there,” market manager Lola Daniel said. Down to just a handful of vendors, the market is looking to add more. Have a breakfast taco at Onion Creek and then stroll the parking-lot market.

Pearland Old Townsite Farmers Market
When: 8 a.m.-noon
every second and fourth Saturday
Where: Zylinski Park, 2243 Grand in Pearland
Who's there:: Vendors stocked with farm eggs, freshly roasted coffees, salsas, jams, beef jerky, and arts and crafts.
Information: pearland
oldtownsitefarmersmarket.com
Grab a bucket of squash and zucchini at the market.: Mayra Beltran : 29-95
Grogan’s Mill Village Farmers Market
When: 8 a.m.-noon
Where: Grogan’s Mill Center, 7 Switchbud Place in The Woodlands
Who's there:: More than 20 vendors offering baked good, tamales, authentic Italian sausage, pastured chicken, cheeses, fresh fruit and vegetables and handmade crafts.
Information:
grogansmillvillage.com

Farmers Market at LaCenterra
When: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: LaCenterra, 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd. in Katy
Who's there:: Dozens of vendors offering everything from seasonal produce and raw honey to fresh herbs and hand-pressed Texas olive oil.
Information:
lacenterra.com

Farmers Market at Imperial
When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 1-Dec. 10
Where: 198 Kempner, Sugar Land
Who's there:: This robust market features as many as 50 vendors each week, including Gundermann Acres with its too-pretty-to-cook produce, wheat-free baked goods from Bella’s Kitchen and Law Ranch’s pastured, grass-fed beef.
Information:
imperialsugarland.com

Farmers Market at Clear Lake Shores
When: 8 a.m.-noon
Where: 1020 Marina Bay Drive in Clear Lake
Who's there:: More than two dozen vendors sell everything from fresh flowers and fruit to all-natural dog treats and locally bottled salsa.
Information: farmersmarketatcls.com

Tomball Farmers Market
When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Where: Corner of Main (FM 2920) and Cherry in downtown Tomball
Who's there:: About a dozen vendors offering fresh produce and herbs as well as prepared foods and handicrafts.
Information:
tomballfarmersmarket.org

Kemah Farmers & Open Air Market
When: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 204 FM 2094 at Texas 146
Who's there:: Well, if the name didn’t give it away, this market is a mixed bag. You’ll find some fresh produce, and there are always home-baked and jarred goods. There are also a lot of flea-market goods. Live entertainment, too.
Information:
kemahfarmersmarket.com

Nassau Bay Farmers Market
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Erma’s Nutrition Center, 18045 Upper Bay Road in Nassau Bay
Who's there:: Local growers and artisans peddling, among other things, pastured cuts of beef, organic soaps and growlers of kombucha.
Information: Facebook

Locavore Farmers’ Market
When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every third Saturday
Where: Lakewood UMC Church, 11330 Louetta in Spring
Who's there:: Another of the city’s charming small markets, this one offers produce, honey, coffee and handmade goods.

SUNDAYS
Urban Harvest Farmers Market
When: noon-4 p.m.
Where: Parking lot behind 3000 Richmond at Eastside
Who's there:: This market relocates from Highland Village to this longtime farmers market site beginning this Sunday. More than two dozen quality vendors offer organic produce, free-range meats, and artisanal breads and cheeses.
Information:
urbanharvest.org

Farmers Market at Bridgeland
When: 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. every second Sunday
Where: Activity Center, 16902 Bridgeland Landing in Cypress
Who's there:: About 30 vendors including Happy Food Dance Bakery, Four Feet Treats, Hog Creek Farms, Gurrola’s Produce and King of the Pit.
Information: Facebook

Magnolia Farmers Market
When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m every first and third Sunday
Where: Intersection of FM 1488 and FM 1774 in Magnolia
Who's there:: These are neighbor gatherings with about a dozen farmers and vendors, many of whom have their businesses in the same ZIP code. Among the finds: do-it-yourself hard cider kits, handmade jewelry, goat-milk soap and free-range brown eggs.
Information:
sweetmagnoliapickins.net