Farm to Table

The best Austin delivery services for farm-fresh food

Farmhouse Delivery vegetable bushel August fall 2015

Getting locally grown produce has never been easier.

Incorporating farm-fresh ingredients into your meals doesn't have to be a hassle. Here are the top options for local produce that will let you indulge in true farm-to-table cuisine while supporting Austin businesses — and skipping the grocery store.

Farmhouse Delivery
This Austin-based company is a homegrown delivery service on the rise — earlier this year Farmhouse absorbed its local competition, Greenling. At Farmhouse, members pay a flat rate for a bushel of produce delivered to their door each week; bushels come in different sizes to match the size of the household. On top of the fresh fruits and veggies, you can add locally sourced dairy, eggs, meats, and more for an additional price. The best part? All of the products are grown, made, or raised on Texas farms.
Price: $27-$39 per week; $20 initial start-up fee

Johnson's Backyard Garden
Johnson's Backyard Garden, like the rest of the Austin-area farms on this list, offers a Community Supported Agriculture membership. For a base fee, CSA members receive regular deliveries of in-season produce grown close to home. Perks of Johnson's CSA membership include exclusive events and discounts in addition to a recipe-filled weekly newsletter. Johnson's also has the option to add coffee and eggs from other local producers as well as guest produce from other area farms. Johnson's has multiple size, frequency, delivery, and pick-up options to match your needs.
Price: $21-$42 per week

Tecolote Farm
This Manor farm's CSA membership includes a weekly basket of seasonal vegetables with occasional fresh fruit. The quantity is enough for two to three vegetarians or three to five omnivores. If that sounds like too much, Tecolote encourages Austinites to sign up with another household. Tecolote offers its produce subscription in the spring and summer season, which typically runs late March through early August. Members can pick up baskets or opt for home delivery for a slightly larger fee.
Price: $594-$666 for the season; payment plans available

Blessing Falls Family Farm
Northeast of Austin you'll find this beautiful family-owned farm. Blessing Falls' CSA membership includes 10-week seasons in the spring, summer, and fall. Participants can sign up for a half or full share, depending on the size of the household. Fresh beef and eggs can also be added for an additional cost. Blessing Falls offers easy pickup and delivery ($4 extra per week) options.
Price: $24-$40 per week

Bonus: Urban Roots
By signing up for Urban Roots' CSA, you're not only getting healthy veggies, you're also helping out a great cause. This nonprofit organization employs local teens to work on its East Austin farm, learn more about sustainable agriculture, and give back to the community. The membership is available during the spring season, which runs from April 2 through July 16. Urban Roots doesn't deliver, but bushels can be picked up from three accessible Central Austin locations.
Price: $720 for the season; payment plans and other options available

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Genuine Surprise

Austin coffee shop announces return immediately after sudden closure

Genuine Joe Coffeehouse/Instagram

Genuine Joe Coffeehouse is now under and optimistic spell.

An Austin coffee shop has experienced a roller coaster over the past week. On October 31, Genuine Joe Coffeehouse announced it would close, but after some community help, it's back on track to stay open with some changes to make the business more stable going forward. One of those seems to be a new location that hasn't been announced yet, according to a social media post.

The original message announcing the closure was posted on Instagram: "Genuine Joe is closed for the foreseeable future," it said. "Yesterday was our last day of business. We are sorry to the community for the short notice- it surprised all of us too."

As Genuine Joe owner Josh Brown explained to KVUE, the property he rented had been sold to build condos in 2021. After that, the coffee shop only had a lease for up to six months at a time. Finally, KVUE reported, a hard demolition date has been set for February.

In the shop's next Instagram post, management thanked fans for their comments and established a GoFundMe page, which they explicitly said would not go toward reopening. "Donations will not go towards reopening, relocating, or any debt incurred by Genuine Joe Coffeehouse. Everything will go to the staff," wrote Leann Tipton, who is listed as the organizer of the fundraiser.

Just days later, another post went up announcing that Genuine Joe would reopen and continue business at the original location — meaning 2001 W. Anderson Ln. According to the post, what was raised from the now-disabled GoFundMe ($7,762) went entirely to staff in limbo.

The most explanation the post offers is that "a few special members of the GJ family" stepped up to help. It does not mention whether the help was financial or otherwise. It also announced some changes: an increase in prices, reduced hours, and fewer non-core offerings — namely, breakfast tacos.

This is, of course, not the whole story. The post promises to share more news later, specifically detailing the demolition and a new location.

Genuine Joe's current hours according to the post at 7 am to 7 pm on weekdays, and 8 am to 7 pm on weekends. Customers had strong reactions, and it looks like none bemoaned the reasonable changes.

"Crying tears of joy….. my family and friends are going to be so relieved they don’t have to hear me mourn genuine joe on the daily anymore," wrote one commenter. They weren't the only one in tears, if the rest of the comments were any indication.

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