Community at Work | July 9, 2018

Fresh & Local:

Community at Work

Last week Market Umbrella participated in the Community Health and Wellness Festival hosted by Louisiana Healthcare Connections at Xavier University Student Center. Louisiana Healthcare Connections, the National Minority Quality Forum, Daughters of Charity Health Centers and Xavier University of Louisiana provided free health screenings and education, and fun activities for families, like zumba, raffle drawings, massage stations, live music and fitness training for kids. We gave away 500 bags of fresh and local produce, sampled a summer melon fruit salad, and called rounds of farmers market bingo to the families in our community. Thank you so much for including us in your event and allowing us to touch the lives of so many - we would do it again in a heartbeat! Health is wealth!

Picks of the Week:

Pinkeye Purple Hull Peas

Keep your eyes open for whole and shelled pinkeye purple hull peas at the market this week. These purple-ish red pods produce a creamy colored bean with dark red eyes and are excellent for drying, canning, and eating raw. Similar to blackeye peas, purple hulls are smooth and creamy in taste and delicious cooked down with pork, like the recipe below. Heart healthy and ultra nutritious - pick some up from Poche Family Farm, Timmy or Indian Springs Co-op!

Volunteers Make our World go Round

As a small nonprofit trying to make a big impact, we often need extra help from our community members to get the job done. Our success at the Community Health and Wellness Festival last week would not have been possible without the hard work of our volunteers! These rock stars packed, prepped, and helped to hand out 500 bags of produce for countless families. Thank you! Are you bored as a gourd and looking for summer volunteer opportunities? Volunteer at market! We have Tuesday Uptown market and Saturday CBD/Rivertown market opportunities available. Email market manager Cristina for more details :) cristina@marketumbrella.org

Marjie’s Grill Pop-up

These guys are back at it again! Join us this Thursday at the Mid-City market for a special appearance by Marjie’s Grill. You know where to find us - in front of American Can from 3-7pm. Find pit-master Chef Marcus grilling up some delicious, locally sourced goodies and swing by Pearl Wine Co for a wine tasting! See ya there!

Vendor of the Week:

Louisiana Gourmet Produce

Ladies and gentlemen, the self proclaimed Jimi Hendrix of farming, Mr. Tony Accardo. Mr. Tony comes from a long family line of farmers in Grand Point, Louisiana. The Accardos farm on rich perique soil only found in St. James Parish, where the robust, fruity perique tobacco is grown. The family specialized in heirloom varieties of tomatoes, hot peppers, and more. Mr. Tony’s summer season is nearing its end so stop by the Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday CBD markets to pick up a pint of cherry tomatoes from the man himself and the youngest Accardo, Kyle (pictured).Otherwise, they’ll be back with more in the fall if you can’t catch them now.

Tuesday’s Green Plate Special:

ROOTs

Change of plans! Welcome back friends of the market and restaurant - ROOTs! This duo will be serving market inspired goods as our GPS this Tuesday. Their food is local, healthy, all made from scratch, and delicious. Learn more about the pop-up restaurant and their food philosophy on their Facebook page and catch La Vie En Rose Cafe at the market next week!

Recipe of the Week:

Purple Hull Peas

Check out this recipe from Louisiana Cookin featuring our pick of the week pinkeye purple hull peas! While most recipes include pork, this one also contains okra, which as you know is plentiful during the summer in Louisiana. The addition adds an oomph to the peas that’s totally worth it.

What’s your favorite dish to make after visiting the Crescent City Farmers Market? Share your recipes with us on Instagram or Facebook or even Twitter and it might be featured in our weekly newsletter!