Healing Vibes At The Farmers Market
We love farmers markets for their energy, the lively interactions between vendors and shoppers, and for the fact that you can find things that you wouldn’t necessarily find in a grocery store. Like raw honey harvested from hives in a neighborhood near you, or the crimson calyces of hibiscus in season.
Casey Barbles attributes that market energy to the vendors, first and foremost. “They are excited to be there, showcasing their product, sharing stories with shoppers, creating a connection in the community.”
She should know—Barbles (33) runs two farmers markets herself, plus a ‘feel-good’ sunset market.
The new farmers market in Rice Village (Rice Village Farmers Market, or RVFM) is just opening this December, and to get an idea of what to expect let’s take a look at Barbles’ first market in the Heights. In a little over a year, The Heights Mercantile Market (HMFM) grew into a sizeable Sunday market with ample vendor choice. You’ll find varied seasonal produce from a bunch of local farms such as Animal Farms, Plant It Forward, Wood Duck Farm but also from HMFM-unique vendors like Ivy Leaf Farms. Among the bakers is Artisana Bread selling organic flour breads (including Einkorn, Spelt and Kamut). Driftwood Meadows is a popular stop for pastured eggs and meats from sustainable poultry. There is Texas-raised Wagyu from R-C Ranch; honey from Bee2Bee Honey Collective; and unique items like edible flowers from Flora Cocina or how about black garlic from Texas Black Gold Garlic.
The market offers aplenty even if you’re not the home-cooking type. From bone broth and boudin kolaches from Chef Monica Pope’s Sparrow Cookshop to bagels and more from Chef Jane Wild at Golden Bagel to housemade smoked bacon, sausages and other craft-butcher food from Cherryblock, local chefs became a bigger fixture at the market during the pandemic—trying times for anyone in the hospitality business.
Chef-vendor presence is particularly strong at the third market in Barbles’ growing emporium. The monthly M-K-T Sunset Market, launched mid-November, 2020, is not a farmersmarket. “Farmers markets are essentially open-air grocery stores that are intended for quick visits,” says Barbles, “M-K-T Sunset Market is meant for you to stick around and stay a while (with a Covid-safe protocol in place). Bring a picnic blanket, grab dinner, play at the park, watch a movie on the lawn.”
Establishing three markets in a little over a year is quite an accomplishment, especially for someone with a background in nutrition—not necessarily market management. Barbles is the first to admit she couldn’t have done it alone.
The Houston-native, who has been dealing with rare syndromes affecting her health and overall wellbeing since her mid-twenties, found a healing balance from eating local when she herself was introduced to the farmers market. It was at one of the lowest points in her health struggle, now some six years ago. She quickly learned from her weekly market visits and the local, seasonal ingredients she brought home that “farmers markets and healing absolutely go hand-in-hand,” says Barbles, “and it paved the way for where I am now.”
The impact of eating local on her own health led Barbles to tap into her nutritionist background (she has a Masters in Human Nutrition) and start doing local-focused cooking classes. It put her on the radar of Radom Capital, the group behind Heights Mercantile where she was doing one of her cooking classes: Would she be interested to own and operate a farmers market on their property?
It took her all of five seconds to say ‘YES’ to that question. And then another five months to make it happen. “I will say it was a slightly overwhelming experience since I had never run markets before.” She learned by reading, checking out other farmers market, and by talking to experienced market managers like long-time Urban Harvest market director Tyler Horne. “Tyler was kind enough to guide me through any questions I had when it came to insurance, permitting, etc. He is a wonderful resource and neighbor!”
One of her very first vendors at the HMFM, Chef Monica Pope was the one to connect her with Rice Village. “[Monica Pope] has had a huge impact on the market. She is such a connector and brings some really wonderful individuals to visit the market, to join as vendors or ones we join forces with.”
Launching her own farmers markets has a personal benefit, says Barbles: “I am very fortunate, for my health’s sake, that I work in such a healing environment. It allows me to stay in check and nurture my health challenges.”
1st and 3rd Sunday
10AM-2PM
2504 Amherst St. 77005
Heights Mercantile Farmers Market
2nd and 4th Sunday
9AM-1PM
714 Yale St. 77007
Third Thursday of each month
4PM-8PM
600 N. Shepherd Dr. 77007
