Eat Local. Buy Local. Be Local.

The food items on your dinner table traveled an average of 1500 miles before reaching your dinner plate.  That means many dollars in fuel were spent to support large business in other parts of the country.  Eat local.  Buy Local.  Be Local.  Support Texan farmers.  Support local economies.  Buy in season.

While this list is certainly not comprehensive, we have tried to provide listings for local producers who grow in the “tweener” zone between DFW and Austin – in the Heart of Texas.  And feel free to contribute more sources of locally produced goods to this list.

General Resources:

Go Texan. Sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture, the Go Texan program promotes the products, culture and communities of Texas. Provides information on Texas farmers and producers and vineyards – as well as recipes on cooking seasonally with Texas produce.    Look for the easily recognizable mark— a glowing brand in the shape of Texas — taps into Lone Star loyalty.

Local Harvest. Listings for farms, CSAs, farmers markets, food coop, local producers and upcoming events.

Waco Downtown Farmers Market. (400 S University Parks Dr, Waco, TX 76701) 9 am-1 pm on Saturdays and 3-7 pm on Tuesdays (starting Oct. 6)  featuring tons of local producers, artisans, and chefs.

Local Vegetable and Fruit Growers:

Cooper Farms (Fairfield, TX).  Specializing in peaches, tomatoes (vine-grown 10 months out of the year), and pecans – as well as their own line of jarred salsas and jams.  Have truck/farm stands in Conroe, Waco, Huntsville, Madisonville, Centerville, Corsicana, and Fairfield.

Eden Creek Farms (Blooming Grove, TX – 53 miles NE of Waco). All produce grown by organic, bio-dynamic, bio-intesive, sustainable methods. Operate vegetable CSA and beef CSA. Future expansion of the farm includes the establishment of several greenhouses, a vineyard and winery.

The Home Grown Farm (China Spring, TX).  The Home Grown Farm’s passion is to transform the way you see food: not packaged and filled with preservatives, but flourishing, natural, and fresh.  HGF runs a seasonal CSA, in addition to raising chickens for eggs, bees for honey, and home-baked goodness (including natural dog treats!)

Lightsey Farms (Mexia, TX – 45 miles W of Waco).  Grower of fresh fruit – such as pears, peaches, figs, persimmons – & vegetables grown directly from our farm. The Family has been in the business for more than 65 years.

Morris Farms (Teague, TX – 55 miles E of Waco).  Raising purple hull peas, cream peas, blackeye peas, tomatoes, green beans, butter beans , pinto beans. squash, eggplant, okra, onions, and more.

Oasis Herb Farm (3400, County Rd 4145, Cranfills Gap, TX 76637). Herb farm growing top notch quality herbs with permaculture grown produce. The farm’s mission is to cultivate an abundant and diverse farm ecosystem while strengthening the ties of the community. Produce, herbs, and goods can be purchased at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market.

Pecan Bluff Farm (China Spring, Texas) A multi-generational farm offering pastured farm fresh eggs, garden-fresh veggies, sun-ripened fruits, and delicious native pecans. Pecan Bluff has red wigglers available for purchase as well. You can find Pecan Bluff Farm every Saturday at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market.

Re-Creation Ranch (Peoria, TX – 40 miles N of Waco).  Local organic farm. starter plants, fresh salad greens, grass fed beef, BBQ and campfire wood.

Vanderpool Gourmet Gardens (China Springs, TX – 13 miles NW of Waco).  CSA and Farm that specializes in Gourmet Garlic and Vegetables. We use sustainable and natural methods to grow our produce and enrich our land and local community. We are testing over 50 varieties of Garlic pioneering a new generation of garlic growing in the South. We also raise honey bees and some fruits.

World Hunger Relief, Inc. (356 Spring Lake Rd Waco, TX 76705).  Providing fresh chemical-free vegetables throughout the 7-month season – for CSA customer. At the Waco Downtown Farmers Market every Saturday from 9:00-1:00 pm. Produce can also be found at the Veggie Van, a mobile food market, selling at a variety of locations around Waco. Raw goats milk, pastured chicken eggs, pecans, goat meat, beef, turkey and more!  Educational farm tours available.

Local Meat Producers:

6J Ranch (Thrall, TX).  A third generation Central Texas Ranch. Soil treated only with compost tea made by 6J Ranch since 2003. All products are hormone free, antibiotic free, pesticide free, and GMO free, and all meats are state inspected. You can find 6J Ranch products at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market, the Pflugerville Farmers Market, the Sun City Farmer’s Market, the Georgetown Farmer’s Market, the River Valley Farmer’s Market, and the Round Rock Farmer’s Market. 

Camelot Manor (Bruceville, TX – 20 miles S of Waco).  A family farm raising high quality grass-fed St. Croix Sheep, Boer Goats, Large Black Hogs, Red Wattle Hogs, and Angus Beef.

Crown Hill Farm (Bynum, TX – 34 miles N of Waco).  Raising grass-fed black angus beef, custom processed to customer specifications. Seasonally, custom-raised and custom-processed chicken and pork.  And fresh, orange-yolked eggs.  Farm tours available.

DNA Longhorn Ranch (Lott, TX – 28 miles S of Waco).  Raising 98% lean, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, Longhorn beef.  Free roaming in serene pastures – always treated with loving care.  Leaner than white chicken meat and much tastier.

Bosque Heritage Farms: Trupork (Valley Mills, TX) Free range, pasture raised, happy and healthy animals. You can find Trupork on Saturdays at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market.

Esquivel Family Farm (Penelope, TX – 25 miles NE of Waco).  Home of antibiotic free/hormone free pasture raised pigs, chickens, sheep and goats.  Farm-fresh meat and eggs.

Farfrumit Farm (Purmela, TX – 53 miles W of Waco).  We raise chicken the natural way–on pasture and feed them whole grains and legumes. We are trying to start a chicken co-op where we can deliver fresh chicken and eggs to members either once or twice a month the entire growing season.

Fresh Pastures Farm (Taylor, TX – 76 miles S of Waco).  Source of Beyond Organic pastured turkey, chicken, rabbit and eggs.  healthy, hormone-free and nutritionally superior to meat from industrial confinement factory farms.

Homestead Heritage (Waco, TX). Operates a bakery and deli for delicious food, general store for seed and tool buying needs, pottery studio, blacksmithery, wood-carving and woodworking workshop, and offers other information on general homesteading.  Available for tours, host workshops throughout the year, and open daily for eating or shopping excursions.

JZJ Natural Beef (Troy, TX – 27 miles S of Waco).  JZJ Natural Beef is produced with cattle that are raised on grass, legumes such as alfalfa, clover or vetch, hay and grain rations.

Live Oak Natural Beef (Jonesboro, TX – 52 miles W of Waco).  Raise Naturally Grown, Grass-Fed Beef NO Hormones, NO Growth Stimulants, NO Additives, NO Animal By Products

Lovejoy Farms (Clifton, TX – 35 miles NW of Waco).  Raises and markets clean 100% grass fed beef. No antibiotics, growth hormones, or chemical wormers are used —ever.

O.P. Acres Ranch & Farm (Purdon, TX – 45 miles NE of Waco).  Grass-Fed Beef raised on organic pastures. Peaceful, gentle handling methods.  Pecans available seasonally.

Ready 2 Rope Ranch (Hico, TX – 65 miles NW of Waco). Ready 2 Rope Ranche raises grass fed steers, cows and bulls. The cattle in our program have not been given growth hormones or antibiotics of any kind.

Local Egg Distributors:

Haney Farm and Eggs (Whitney, TX – 36 miles NW of Waco).  Providing organically raised pastured eggs.

The Home Grown Farm (China Spring, TX).  The Home Grown Farm’s passion is to transform the way you see food: not packaged and filled with preservatives, but flourishing, natural, and fresh.  HGF runs a seasonal CSA, in addition to raising chickens for eggs, bees for honey, and home-baked goodness (including natural dog treats!)

Raindance Ranch (China Springs, TX – 11 miles NW of Waco).  RAINDANCE Ranch is proud to announce the availability of our free range, pasture fed chicken eggs for sale. We have Australorpes, Production Reds, Silver Lace Wyandottes and Speckled Sussex. The eggs are a range of beautiful brown colors, and the taste is beyond compare.

Local Honey Producers:

The Home Grown Farm (China Spring, TX).  The Home Grown Farm’s passion is to transform the way you see food: not packaged and filled with preservatives, but flourishing, natural, and fresh.  HGF runs a seasonal CSA, in addition to raising chickens for eggs, bees for honey, and home-baked goodness (including natural dog treats!)

Walker Honey Farm (Rogers, TX – 54 miles S of Waco).  Numerous varieties of honey, as well as spreads, butter, soaps, and beeswax candles.

World Hunger Relief, Inc. (Waco, TX).

Local Milk Distributors:

Mill-King Market (McGregor, TX – 19miles SW of Waco).  We are the Millers, and we are located in central Texas outside of Waco. We are a family run farm that has been in operation for three generations. We have a combination of handpicked Holsteins, Brown Swiss, and Jerseys that make up our certified grade A raw milk. This produces a milk that is rich with cream, but also smooth for drinking.

Sandcreek Farms (Cameron, TX – 60 miles S of Waco).  primary product is grassfed, grain-free Raw Milk.  SCF is also home to dairy cattle, grass fed beef, egg layers, broilers, turkeys and hogs and cultivates quite a few crops for forage as well as a small orchard and a rather large garden.

World Hunger Relief, Inc.

Local Cheese Producers:

Caprino Royale (Waco, TX).  Farmstead artisianal goat cheese from purebred nubian goats.  Caprino Royale is a micro-dairy and small sustainable farm producing pasture based products.  The farm is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Eric Tippit and Karen Dierolf.

Brazos Valley Cheese (7781 Gholson Rd, Waco, TX 76705). Dedicated to crafting all-natural, high quality, healthy cheese using traditional methods and no artificial flavors, preservatives or coloring. Milk comes from grass-fed cows that graze freely. Every one of the cheeses is made with raw cow’s milk.

Veldhuizen Cheese (Dublin, TX – 90 miles NW of Waco).  Contented cows grazing  green pastures give rich golden milk which is made into our artisan cheese.  A small family farm that believes in careful care of the natural resources, commitment to quality in caring for our animals, and making the finest quality cheese.

Farmers Markets & Market Stores:

Bonnie’s Greenhouse (5198 Orchard Lane Waco TX 76705)  Serving Central Texas customers since 1981, growing seasonal annuals and perennials from A to Z. Offering a wide range of gardening resources from seeds to gardening classes, Bonnie’s is a Central Texas favorite!

Heart of Texas Farmers Market (4601 Bosque Blvd. Waco, TX).  Located at the HOT Coliseum.  Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 7am – 2pm.  Opens May 8.  WIC coupons accepted.

Homestead Heritage Market (169 Halbert Lane Waco, Texas 76705) Committed to providing customers with the finest locally sourced, natural and organic food and products that help nurture and sustain wellness in the lives of individuals, families and communities. The market places emphasis on real, whole foods – those that are as minimally processed and refined as possible.

Green Avenue Farmers Market (Killeen, TX – 61 miles SW of Waco / downtown Killeen on 717 North Second Street, across from Killeen Arts & Activities Center). Fridays 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. The market offers farmers, growers, producers and artisans an outlet to offer the public an opportunity to meet the farmer who grows your food and also offers specialty hand crafted items.

Local Wineries:

Kissing Tree Vineyards (830 FM 1950 Eddy, Texas 76524). Family-owned boutique winery in Eddy, Texas. You can purchase handcrafted Kissing Tree Wines at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market. Wine tastings are available by appointment only.

Waco Winery & Vineyards (6826 E. Highway 6, Waco, Texas 76705).  Family-owned boutique winery located outside Waco, Texas – offering a number of unique Texas wines for sale at the winery and a brand new Wine Club.  Visit the vineyard for free tours and tastings.

Valley Mills Vineyard (8532 N State Highway 6 Waco, TX 76712). This boutique winery grows several unusual varieties of grapes. Open Thursday & Friday 2:00 – 8:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 – 11:00 pm (sip & swirl with live music from 8:00 – 11:00 pm), & Sunday 12:00 – 5:00 pm.

Local Soaps, Body Care, & Holistic Wellness Goods: 

Dairy Meadow Soaps (Waco, TX). Creamy goat’s milk soap is made from all natural, good-for-you ingredients, many from Dairy Meadows farm. Each mild bar contains fresh goat’s milk, pure rainwater, natural glycerin, vegetable oils, special additives such as herbs, ground oatmeal or honey from their bees and only the best therapeutic-grade of essential oils.

Enchanted Cedar (100 N Oak St. Lorena, TX).  A holistic wellness family owned store in Lorena offering a warm relaxing environment, magical activities for both children and adults, and a wide variety of raw, organic & vegan snack options. Enchanted Cedar focuses on celebrating the natural beauty and bounty that surrounds us everyday-while strengthening the connections people have between each other and the world.

Happy Stuff (Waco, TX). Happy Stuff is an ever-growing line of all-natural personal and home care products created with mindfulness and love. Products consist of lip balm, beard balm, deodorant, toothpaste, face wash, and much more! Happy Stuff can be found on Saturdays at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market.