Orange you glad it’s Autumn? | November 11, 2019

Fresh & Local:

Orange you glad it’s Autumn?

Three cheers for our three citrus growers coming back to market just in time - Star Nursery! L’Hoste Citrus! And A&K Citrus! At this time every year, when we are most looking forward to a reprieve from summer fruit doldrums, we begin to see citrus come back to the market. It usually begins in October with a few bins of satsumas here and there as well as the first of the Meyer lemons. As we head into November, big fat navel oranges start to appear along with those seedy and hard to peel but oh so juicy and appropriately named LA sweets. Grapefruits in all shades - white, pink and red - come onto the scene later on, and depending on the winter, may stick around through next spring. If we have a mild winter, we should get a good crop of those ruby striated beauties, the blood oranges - perfect both in flavor and aesthetics. These late bloomers usually don't appear ‘til January and are only around for a month or so.

A heads up, satsuma season may be a short one this year due to natural ebbs and flows in citrus production - last year was a banner year for the crop, this year, the trees take a little break - so we've experienced a later than usual start, and possibly earlier end as well.

Picks of the Week:

Market Umbrella is Hiring!

We are looking for a farmers market coordinator! The coordinator works to help plan and execute weekly farmers markets as well as doing community outreach and promoting and implementing our various fresh food access programs. We’re looking for someone friendly and welcoming, diligent and organized, and ready to work year round rain or shine at our outdoor markets. Check out the complete job description here and apply by November 15th.

Senior FMNP coupons Expire Soon

In an effort to increase access to healthy fresh foods, the USDA and Louisiana Department of Forestry & Agriculture distributes Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers that can be spent at area farmers markets including CCFM. They are good for fresh produce, herbs and honey and accepted by any FMNP certified produce vendor. Just look for the yellow sign! This year’s round of coupons expire November 30th, so now’s the time to get out to the market and use them. Citrus season is here and greens are back! Satsumas, Meyer lemons, navels and LA sweets plus turnips, radishes, collards, mustards and kale are all making their return to our markets.

Attention Rivertown shoppers, Saturday, November 23 will be your last chance to use your coupons as the market will be closed on the 30th for the Thanksgiving holiday. Missed out on this year’s distribution? Follow the link to find out more https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfmnp/senior-farmers-market-nutrition-program.

School Garden Bootcamp

School Garden Boot Camp is a three-part series of trainings taught by LSU Ag Center and SPROUT NOLA for educators working with school garden and farm-to-school systems. The program includes curriculum adaptation, site planning, garden troubleshooting, cultivating community support, fundraising, harvest, food safety in the garden, plus connects schools to garden resources like Master Gardeners, 4-H, free veggie, herb and pollinator transplants and fruit trees. For more information and to register, click here.

As part of our farm to school project, Harvesting for Health in Louisiana, teachers from our partner schools do not pay the $25 registration fee to attend. For more information on how this program helps New Orleans public, primary schools implement the three key parts of farm to school (gardens, curriculum and procurement), and to get your school involved, contact Angelina Harrison.

Vendor of the Week:

Major Acre Farm

Major Acre Farm has been providing diverse, fresh produce for the Greater New Orleans community since 2017. When Ellis Douglas and Jasmine Meyer were living in Mid City, they frequented the Thursday market and recognized the need for a greater selection of organic veggies. They were also drawn to the community-building aspect of the market, and wanted to continue strengthening their relationships with customers, chefs, and fellow vendors. The farm yields all produce without the use of synthetic fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals. Ellis and Jasmine currently lease about 2 acres of land in Laplace, Louisiana, and hope to sell enough produce to be able to buy the land they work with. Swing by the Mid City market at 3700 Orleans Ave. from 3 to 7pm on Thursdays to enjoy their current bounty of sweet potatoes, turnips, radishes, greens, citrus, and more!

Tuesday’s Green Plate Special:

Red Gravy

Welcome back Red Gravy Cafe to the Green Plate Special! It’s been a while and we are very excited to see what Chef Roseann Rostoker has in store for us. Red Gravy is a cozy bistro in the French Quarter serving rustic Italian cuisine using recipes handed down from Roseann’s grandmothers, aunts and mom; along with a few self-inspired creations. Chef Roseann is one of Crescent City Farmer Market’s most loyal shoppers and strives to include fresh seasonal produce, eggs, meat and seafood from our local producers. Stop by every Tuesday in November from 9-1pm for a bite - Ciao!

Menu:
Meatballs in Red Gravy, on Don Phoung french bread - $10
Lasagna (meatless) $10
Pumpkin Soup with crostini - $8
Italian Roasted Pork with sauteed greens (from Monica’a Okra World) & provolone on Don Phoung french bread $10
Cannoli $5

Recipe of the Week:

Mixed Greens and Citrus Salad

It’s the most wonderful of year! Citrus season and greens are here!! As the weather cools down and cold and flu season ramps up, there’s no tastier way to boost your immune system. Packed with a healthy dose of Vitamin C, fiber and other phytonutrients citrus and winter greens like collards, turnip greens and kale have got your back! Check out one or both of these tasty salad creations. The citrus helps to tone down the bitter greens and keeping things raw preserves the bounty of nutrients. Bon appetit, bon sante!

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!