A new food network is allowing customers to pre-order natural and organic items from producers all over Central Texas, who then deliver the goods to a market-style festival in Waco.

Already, more than 300 people have joined the program. And many poured into a tent city Thursday evening at 3500 Franklin Ave., where they could buy everything from lamb and beef to honey, fresh eggs and veggies.

Local bakery chef Ullja Kuntze organized the event, called the Local Farmers Food Festival. At first, she was hosting the festivals in her home, but they have grown to the point she needed a bigger location.

Connie Cockerham buys honey from Clint Walker, owner of Walker Honey Farm near Rogers. Walker was one of about 10 vendors selling natural and organic products at the festival.
Duane A. Laverty/Waco Tribune-Herald

The Yowell family agreed to relocate the market to the parking lot of Yowell’s Boat Yard on Franklin Avenue. It had a carnivallike atmosphere last week, as customers braved the late-afternoon heat to line up for their orders, chat with the farmers and growers and talk about how they appreciate what the food network means to Waco.

“I’m very partial to farmers and natural growers who don’t use hormones, and I’ve been that way for 30 years,” said Linda Littlewood, of Waco, who was buying honey and meat products at the recent festival.

“I would love to have a Whole Foods Market in Waco, and this is the closest thing to that,” Littlewood said.

Steve and Rachel Heyduck were packing up orders of eggs, honey, beef and vegetables.

“We like buying local, and we like buying natural products,” said Steve Heyduck, chaplain of the Methodist Children’s Home in Waco. “We appreciate what Ullja is doing, and we will be placing more orders.”

The next food festival is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Aug. 19. They take place every other Thursday.

Twin brothers Colby and Cory Smith raise lambs and free-range chickens on their farm near Belton. They typically sell chicken and lamb products and farm-fresh eggs to restaurants and at markets between Bell County and Austin.

Vegetables were displayed for sale at a farm festival Thursday evening on Franklin Avenue. Local bakery chef Ullja Kuntze has created a local food network to link customers and vendors.
Duane A. Laverty/Waco Tribune-Herald

Now they have added Waco to their list of stops.

“This is a full-time job for us,” said Colby Smith, adding that the U.S. Department of Agriculture inspects his meats, “and we know what our animals have eaten from the day they are born until the day they are processed.”

About 10 vendors showed up for Thursday’s festival. Kuntze said her list of potential sellers is longer than that, but not all attend every festival.

“Business is great,” said Terry Vanderpool, owner of Vanderpool Gourmet Gardens in China Spring, who was selling dried morel mushrooms and six varieties of garlic so quickly he hardly had time to talk.

Clint Walker, who owns the Walker Honey Farm near Rogers, said Thursday’s festival was his third.

“At each one, I’ve seen a tremendous increase in exposure and sales,” said Walker, who represents the third generation of a beekeeping family and processes his own line of honey and spreads.

Walker said he takes orders but also sells products to walk-up customers.

David Litke with the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District visited the food festival and found no problems. He said those selling perishable items such as beef and eggs drove to Waco to deliver specific orders.

Customers pick up orders of lamb and eggs during the Local Farmers Food Festival held Thursday evening in the parking lot of Yowell’s Boat Yard, 3500 Franklin Ave.
Duane A. Laverty/Waco Tribune-Herald

Had they been selling to all comers, Litke said, the department would have required additional permits and facilities to keep the products cold.

Those selling honey, produce and other nonperishable products did not need permits and could offer their goods to anyone, Litke said.

The food network joins an existing farmers market that has become a summer tradition at the Heart O’Texas Fair Complex from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. That market will continue through late September.

Meanwhile, the city of Waco and Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce continue to search for a suitable location for a downtown farmers market.

mcopeland@wacotrib.com

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