Houston’s Organic Checklist

By Kelly Howard

Amazing offerings from our bayou town

Recently, we were discussing in the BCO office how easy it is for Houstonians to obtain healthy organic food. We thought it would be fun to pass on a few of our faves to our readers. Love the idea of guilt-free shopping and eating? Grab your bike and join us — enjoy!

Pedal with us to the Farmers Market this Valentines Day, everyone loves a delicious day out! (click to tweet)

Farmers Markets:

In the past few years Farmers Markets have popped up all over the Houston area giving us a plethora of delicious and healthy reasons to wander and enjoy them. Here are a few of our favorites:

Urban Harvest is our much anticipated destination every month on our Farmers Market Bike Rides. Urban Harvest is the Ritz of all markets with more than 50 farmers and vendors selling everything from freshly harvested produce and artisan breads to grass-fed beef and emu eggs. They usually have live music and chefs to cook for shoppers to make the experience that much sweeter.
3000 Richmond at Eastside Saturdays 8 AM- Noon & Sunday

Canino Produce is the true grandfather of Houston Farmers Markets. Canino’s has been around since 1958 and started off occupying only 3800 square feet, and now the market takes up a whopping 20,000 square feet. They have tons of local Texas produce, but to keep things in variety they ship in stuff from all over the country and world. Canino’s is serious when it comes to serving their customers, they are only closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and December 26th. Now that’s loyalty.
2520 Airline Dr 77009 is open everyday from 6 AM- 8 PM

City Hall Farmers Market is where you will find two dozen vendors offering prepared foods and produce. Cooking demonstrations are often held by local chefs. But hurry over soon if you want to check this one out, they will close at end of June and resume back in the fall.
901 Bagby 77002 Wednesdays only 11 AM-1:30 PM

Rice University Farmers Market has more than 30 vendors that range in goodies from dog biscuits and organic baby food to infused vinegars and local honey. This market can get pretty crowded because it’s one of the few that offers weekday evening shopping.
Located on Rice University Campus: 5600 Greenbriar Drive in the West Stadium Lot. Use Entrance 13 B off Greenbriar Drive Tuesday evenings only 3:30- 6:30 PM

Click for a detailed list of Houston Farmers’ Markets

Want to meet some ridiculously cute goats? Stop by Blue Heron Farms’ Booth!

Local Farms:

Did you know you can buy organic produce, cheese and even olive oil directly from a farm? A nice short trip near Houston and you can be sure to find something that fits your fancy.

Blue Heron is a wonderful goat farm near Houston. They offer tours, delicious chevre, and endless amounts of cute baby goats. Fresh cheese, spoiled goats. 30853 Bunting Rd Field Store, TX 77484

Funky Monkey Farms grow a fantastic variety of fruits, citrus, berries and grapes, herbs, vegetables and sell fresh eggs. They also have a bakery that makes the greatest breads, cakes, cookies and seasonal pies. As if that’s not enough the also have a nursery on site.
Corner of Burton & House Streets, Alvin, TX Open November-July on Tuesdays & Thursdays 8:30AM- 3:30PM

During berry season there are some great places to pick. Grab a pail and take your family and/or BCO friends on a real treat. What would be better on a beautiful day than to pick your own healthy and organic fruit?

Black Berries of Houston: Pick your own black berries and shop around their pre-picked veggies fresh from the garden. They have tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumber and eggplant.

19531 Cypress Church Road, Cypress, TX, 77429

Chmielewski Blue berry Farm: located about 40 minutes northwest of downtown Houston, they offer fresh ripe black berries that you pick yourself for $3.50 a pound.

23810 Bauer-Hockley rd. Hockley, TX 77447