Where to find local produce in Austin amid cyclosporiasis outbreak
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Tiny Farmers Market in East Austin. The market will return in September. Photo: Nicole Cobler/Axios
Some shoppers are turning to farmers markets as a preventive measure amid the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak.
Why it matters: The outbreak is straining Americans' trust in the food safety system, leading to a downturn in sales and a reputation hit for big businesses and farms. But knowing where your produce comes from can reduce your risk of infection, experts say — even if it's not guaranteed.
Catch up quick: The diarrhea-inducing illness is caused by a microscopic parasite spreading through contaminated food. Investigators have tied some — but not all — cases to contaminated iceberg lettuce.
- Public health experts say past outbreaks have been associated with imported produce including cilantro, basil, pre-packaged salad mix and raspberries.
- Texas health officials have reported nearly 200 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases since May, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services tells Axios.
Zoom in: Austin Public Health officials have reported 79 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis since May.
- Over the past five years, local case counts have ranged from 33 to 82, according to a department spokesperson.
- Officials say the increase could partly reflect greater awareness and testing amid heightened media attention around the outbreak.
Zoom out: The CDC has reported nearly 10,500 lab-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis across the U.S. since May 1.
- In places like New Orleans and Des Moines, shoppers are rushing local farmers markets in search of lettuce.
Here are some Austin-area markets to check out:
- Texas Farmers' Market at Mueller, Sundays, 10am–2pm
- Barton Creek Farmers Market, Saturdays, 9am–1pm
- SFC Farmers' Market Downtown and Sunset Valley, Saturdays 9am–1pm
- New Braunfels Farmers Market, Saturdays, 9am–1pm
- Texas Farmers' Market at Bell, Saturdays 9am–1pm
Reality check: You're probably still safe to shop for produce at grocery stores in Austin.
- H-E-B officials say none of their produce suppliers have reported cases of cyclosporiasis. Some H-E-B brand salads include lettuce from Taylor Farms, which recalled its iceberg lettuce sourced from Central Mexico. However, H-E-B was not shipped iceberg lettuce products from Taylor Farms.
- Plus, lettuce is out of season; it could come back around in October. Berries have been on their way out, too.