Support Local Farms and Ranches: San Antonio Edition

While the big chain grocers are getting better at stocking local goods, it can still be tricky to find items specifically from local farms.  When you buy from a local farm you are cutting out the middle man and giving directly to the person who spent their love and money on cultivating that product.  With the prices of everything going up in the local stores, you would be surprised that for the same amount you can buy a superior product from a local farm.  Here are some of my favorites from the San Antonio surrounding area:

CKC farms @ckcfarms

I remember first reading about CKC Farms a few years back and being astonished that it was a young girl with a passion for cheese making.  After a trip to Italy she became a goat farmer and expert cheese maker.  Her goat cheese is smooth like butter, and she comes out with all different flavors including seasonal creations.  The farm is located in Blanco, TX and they currently stock many restaurants in the area, or you can find their booth at the Pearl Farmer's Market.

Mother Culture Yogurt @motherculturesa

Mother Culture has some of the best crafted Greek yogurt you can find, and they actually have a shop now off of Nacogdoches.  They make premium yogurt with local grass fed cream top milk.  They scored a contract with the local area Whole Food's locations, so you can find limited flavors in certain stores.  They make flavors like luscious lemon and coconut with shredded coconut top.  I like to follow them on facebook to see what new flavors are popping up at the farmer's market.  

Windmill Meadow Farm @windmillmeadowfarm

For locally grown flowers, Windmill Meadow Farm  offers local flower delivery from Fredericksburg, TX.  Beautifully arranged wildflowers make these bouquets so unique.  Definitely not your typical rose bouquet.  The owners are avid gardeners with too many accolades to list here.  The actual farm is by appointment only, but if booked in advance they allow a "pick your own bouquet" type experience.  The farm now offers subscription services where a bouquet can be purchased in 5, 10 or 20 week options.  

Grassfield Farm @grassfieldfarms 

Grassfield Farm  is located in Hondo, TX and is dedicated to certified grass-fed beef and pastured pork.  If you follow their Instagram, you can see firsthand how much they truly care for the animals.  This farm uses sustainable practices and the cows happily graze on lush pasture in open air everyday.  They now deliver to San Antonio on Tuesdays or you can catch them at local farmers markets.  Once you try this beef you will be a loyal customer.

William's Ranch @williamsranch

William's Ranch is a sustainable outfit also located in Hondo, TX.  They offer fresh whole turkeys at Thanksgiving time and duck eggs throughout the year.  Happy hens live at William's Ranch producing farm fresh eggs. If you are interested in bulk meat buying William's ranch has whole cow, half cow, and quarter cow options to stock up.  The chuck roast is great for stews in the cold months.  For around $100 they have a beef sampler box as well.  This ranch offers local delivery for a fee or also located at the Pearl Farmer's Market.  

Holdman Honey  @holdmanhoney

I don't know if it's scientifically proven, but they say if you eat the local honey it will give a little bit of immunity to the allergens in the environment.  If you like honey anyway, it can't hurt to try.  Super excited to see these local Seguin, TX beekeepers now stocked at HEB and other grocers.  They sell whole honeycombs, or packaged honey.  They also sell a new thicker honey cream that could take the place of butter.  Skip the big brands and go for this local, raw honey.

Peeler Farms @peelerfarms

Peeler Farms is located in Floresville, TX and is known for its Akaushi cows and Wagyu beef.  A Japanese cattle breed, the Akaushi breed produces a tender marbled beef with higher levels of fatty acids.  Peeler farms use no antibiotics and no added hormones.  They stock some of the best restaurants in the San Antonio and Austin areas.  If you see them at the farmer's market don't pass by, they often sell out.

Knolle Dairy Farms @knolledairyfarms

Located in Sandia, TX Knolle farms produces rich and creamy Jersey milk.  They also recently started making cheeses like queso fresco.  My kids love it when they have chocolate milk.  This milk makes a huge difference in recipes.  Hopefully they will start offering city delivery.  

Texas Hill Country Olive Co. 

While driving outside of Dripping Springs at first I thought this farm was a winery.  Wrong!  Texas Hill Country Olive Co. is an actual olive orchard with house made olive oils.  They are known for flavor infused olive oils and some of the best balsamic vinegar I have ever tried.  A rosemary infused olive oil with a splash of the balsamic vinegar and dipping spice is heaven with some toasted sourdough bread.  This is a fun place for the kids with tours throughout the day.  They also offer a small cafe to sample the goods.  They have a great website to order if you can't make it out to Dripping Springs. 

Texana Olive Orchard 

While we are talking about Olive Oil I can't leave out Texana Olive Orchard  located in Artesia Wells, TX.  They are one of the largest local purveyors of olive oil.  They offer 100% virgin olive oils with infused flavors like roasted onion and cajun heat.  It really can take cooking to the next level.  They have a small selection online, or hit them up at the farmer's market for more flavors. 

Braune Farms @braunefarms

 

Located out in Seguin, TX, Braune Farms has 100% home grown vegetables.  I love stopping by their booth at the market because they always have in season items like kale, pumpkins, squash and eggplants.  During the week they have a farm stand, and throughout the year they have in season events on the farm.  

There are so many amazing farmers and ranchers in our local area.  If you see the "Go Texan" sign on foods that is a way to know the item was made by a local farmer.  Even if the cost is slightly more you are paying that money directly to someone who truly cares about the food being created.  I hope this list is helpful!

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