Keep Calm and Strawberry On | March 16, 2020

Fresh & Local:

Keep Calm and Strawberry On

In these times of uncertainty, you can still count on fresh local fruits and vegetables, proteins like meat, seafood and tofu, dairy and eggs, as well as bread and baked goods, among other locally made groceries at our markets all open during normal business hours. All of our markets take place rain or shine, and are outdoors in the fresh air. Additionally, from the field to the kitchen, food safety guidelines dictate food handling practices, and all of our vendors are well-versed in them. Food safety is closely related to the CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus so the recommendations about handwashing, using sanitizer, and staying home when sick that are so second nature to our vendors are especially important now.

Some other considerations to keep in mind when stocking up: farmers market food goes straight from the food producer to you and when you know your farmer you can see the only person who ever touched your food, and feel more comfortable about their health and the food you’re feeding your family. Staying healthy by eating a healthful well-balanced diet is also a key to avoiding illness. You can stock up on nutrient-rich produce and other goods at any of our markets. Read on to see what else we are doing to protect the health and well being of our customers, vendors and staff.

Good Food Word of the Week:

While Market Umbrella is known for our farmers markets and fresh food access programs, food systems work touches on many social, economic, and environmental issues. The Good Food Word of the Week seeks to shed some light on these parts of our work and the way we talk - demystifying the jargon.

Public Health

This week’s Good Food Word is Public Health - While doctors treat individual patients, public health focuses on improving the wellbeing of an entire community. This can include promoting healthy lifestyle choices, combating infectious diseases, and developing health systems that make quality care accessible to everyone. Public health also seeks to address social inequalities that impact health, such as poverty, food insecurity, and racial injustice.

Picks of the Week:

What’s Different at Markets

We are taking safety precautions at markets that are much more stringent than any of our staff has seen at local grocery stores. Not only do markets not have conveyor belts or public surfaces similar to grocery stores, but there’s shoulder room and limited physical interaction with products, not to mention plenty of fresh air. For the time being, we’ll be eliminating beverage service at the welcome tent and also not setting up public seating. We will be limiting the number of customers in the market at any given time (which will facilitate social distancing and expedite shopping), and changing configurations to maintain social distance - vendors will be placed further apart from one another, isles will be made wider, chalk marks on the ground will indicate a six foot distance from vendor tables and the welcome tent table, as well as spacing for those waiting in line to enter. While we normally value community, now is time to stock up on healthful food and head home.

Alcohol Free for 40 Days

Abstaining from alcohol helps to detoxify your system and boost your immunity. While this EatFit Challenge is designed for lent, it’s perfect for any time of the year-- especially if you want to make sure your body is as healthy as it can be during this public health situation. For more information and resources, visit ochsner.org/eat-fit/alcohol-free-for-40.

Vendor of the Week:

Vendor attendance

As we move forward, we may see a change in vendor attendance at market. While the majority of vendors plan on attending market as usual for the time being, a few of our vendors White Oaks, Grow Dat Youth Farm, Des Allemands Outlaw Katfish and LA Serendipity will be sitting it out. You can find out who will be at market on the ‘Who is at the market this week’ page on our website and we’ll keep you updated with any changes.

Tuesday’s Green Plate Special:

Kinoko

Welcome back Kinoko to the Green Plate Special every Tuesday in March. Kinoko is a sushi pop up that focuses on plant based sushi and Japanese cuisine. Chef Kelseay Dukae offers a creative and healthy take on sushi, using ingredients such as jackfruit for “sneauxcrab” for her spin on the traditional crunchy roll. She’ll be prepping all her dishes on the back table, and they’re chock full of veggies to keep you healthy.

Recipe of the Week:

Fennel, Arugula and Strawberry Salad

Besides washing your hands and following other precautions recommended to help stop the spread of COVID-19, one of the best things you can do for your body is eat healthy! This strawberry salad is as simple as it is nutritious, packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and lots of flavor. You can find plenty of juicy strawberries, fresh fennel and arugula at market right now, and for an extra layer of flavor, feel free to add some toasted fennel seeds and honey. Delicious and nutritious!

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!