Newflower Farmers Market? (Austin, Meadow, Happy: neighborhood, prices, shop)

[Jennibc]

Has anybody else given it a try? My son and I went today and to be honest, I felt a bit underwhelmed. It was packed (near impossible to find parking) and other than good prices on produce and some store brand ready made sauces and marinades, it was surprisingly expensive. I thought I read on here (or maybe in the statesman) that it had great prices.

[AGA]

I just saw it today, but have not tried it. Glad to get your impression though...may save me a trip.

[HappyTexan]

It's a Farmer's Market with local farmers selling there ?
How is it compared to Sunset Valley Farmer's Market ?

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

It's a Farmer's Market with local farmers selling there ?
How is it compared to Sunset Valley Farmer's Market ?

No, it's a grocery store. I thought it would be a "farmer's market" in the traditional sense but no such luck.

[achtungpv]

We were underwhelmed also. The meat market had good prices and the store brand was inexpensive also. Other than that the price were equal to or more than Central Market. So, we'll probably just keep doing all our shopping at CM.

[mimimomx3]

It's too far for me.
I'll stick with CM, WF and Wheatsville, with monthly trips to Sunset Valley. And of course HEB/Randalls. Ergh.

[verybadgnome]

For me it is basically like having a Sun Harvest but 50% bigger and in my neighborhood so I'm quite pleased. The produce is inexpensive and so are the meats. They probably do this so they can make up on the packaged food but those are really no more expensive than Sun Harvest which means it is cheaper than CM. I like it b/c it is the right size, easy to navigate, and their isn't a lot of fluff, i.e. stuff I have no interest in but have to wade through to get to what I want. A lot of the special prices I'm sure are just for the grand opening but looking at my receipt I got some good deals including an $0.83 eggplant, $3.33 wine, 1.69 fresh basil, 1.50 pasta sauce, $3/lb dried cranberries, $0.39 cascade yogurt, etc.

I noticed at checkout that they give you a $0.10 discount for every reusable bag you bring in.

The bulk section is pretty extensive; the deli is small but adequate, and thank goodness they have fresh seafood that is actually priced lower than HEB (or at least the specials compared to HEB's specials).

The one thing that bugged me was the huge Croc displays of footwear next to the smallish beer/wine section. If I want something for my feet I'll go to Southpark Meadows.

[jco]

Those who miss Trader Joes, Sprouts, Henry's, or similar stores will like Newflower! The produce prices are much less expensive, and I've found that produce at regular stores in Austin is what jacks up my food bill (compared to AZ, where we moved from).

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by jco

Those who miss Trader Joes, Sprouts, Henry's, or similar stores will like Newflower! The produce prices are much less expensive, and I've found that produce at regular stores in Austin is what jacks up my food bill (compared to AZ, where we moved from).

You see, I shopped Trader Joes every week before I moved here (it was my primary food shopping destination) and I don't think this place can compare in terms of prices. I was just at TJs less than a month ago too. Other than produce and some of there store brand stuff, I find HEB to be less expensive and TJ' Seattle prices to be less expensive. I didn't check out meats while I was there so I cannot comment. My sense is that if feel like I can handle the crowds and deal with having to circle the parking lot several times to find parking, it MIGHT be worth it to go there to get produce.

[Moonlady]

I think the crowds is strictly a grand opening thing. I'm pretty sure it will settle down in a week or two.

There was an article about it in the paper and they said that they plan to start carrying more local produce in the near future, hence the "farmers market" nomenclature.