Farmer's Markets have been a popular staple in Austin for eight years. In that time, attendance has almost tripled, according to the Sustainable Food Center. It's a phenomenon echoed throughout the country.
"There's now almost 6,000 Farmer's Markets across the country and 10-years ago there were only 2,000," said Suzanne Santos with the Sustainable Food Center.
"They've got organic produce at reasonable prices and you come support a local farm", said Ruth Kellner, an Austinite who shops at the Farmer's Markets.
"Customers come up to me all the time and ask me what this tastes like, if it's sweet, if it's spicy, if my tomatoes are good?," said Kris Olsen, a farmer from Red Oak.
Thursday morning the Austin City Council is expected to approve allowing farmers at Farmer's Markets to give out free samples.
"Anybody ... in the food business knows if you sample out, you help increase your sales," added Santos.
"We want them to understand the difference in flavor, so if we can do that right at the booth, they're more prone to buy, and when you're buying right there on the spot, it really helps us," said Shaye Stevens, a farmer from Dime Box.
People giving out samples at farmer's markets may be required to complete a food handler's course.
Up until now, local farmers who are vendors at the Farmer's MKarkets have not been allowed by city code to give out free samples of their produce to customers.
"The way it is now, they'd have to have a type of permit where they'd have to pre-package every single little bite in a little cup with a lid on it prior to even bringing it to the market", said Santos.
