If the sheer number of food-related outlets across the city is any indication, San Antonio is a primetime player in fresh.
Although the entire state is surprisingly short on terminal markets, the Alamo City has two. The San Antonio Produce Terminal Market was established in 1951 at the-then astonishing cost of $2.5 million. More recently, the San Antonio Wholesale Produce Market, or Central de Abastos de San Antonio, opened for business in 2016.
The market, built and run by Abasto Properties, operates a number of wholesale outlets in Texas and Mexico. This particular newcomer boasts 60 cooled warehouse units of 4,000 square feet each, which includes a 900-square-foot mezzanine for office space and refrigeration equipment.
Located on the city’s southeast side, the tract encompasses a total of 80 acres. So far, only 25 acres have been developed, but demand is growing.
In addition to its two wholesale markets, San Antonio also has a plethora of farmers markets sprinkled around the city to showcase homegrown produce. At last count there were at least 19, with one open nearly every day of the week.
Moreover, many are certified with the Go Texan stamp of approval, the state’s branding program for products made or grown in Texas. The brand and logo are popular with growers, suppliers, retailers, and restaurants, and a terrific tool for attracting shoppers.
Noteworthy purveyors of fresh produce include the San Antonio Farmers Market, which sets up in a different location depending on the day, the Alamo Heights Farmers Market, and the Legacy Farmers Market.
The trendy Pearl Farmers Market, open on Saturdays and located just north of downtown next to the River Walk, is one of the main attractions at the renovated Pearl Brewery retail complex.
Also operating on Saturdays is Big State Produce Company Farmers Market. This newcomer made its debut in October at the 1900-acre Port San Antonio complex on the city’s southwest side, offering a lineup of fresh fruits and vegetables including always popular avocados, as well as cucumbers, squash, fresh greens, grapes, and apples.
This is an excerpt from the most recent Produce Blueprints quarterly journal. Click here to read the full version.
