What Happens Next? | March 23, 2020

Fresh & Local:

What Happens Next?

Last week, CCFM made the incredibly difficult decision to suspend market operations. While markets are essential, fresh food is especially important now, and we were quickly able to put a number of safety precautions in place, we determined the safest thing we could do for vendors, shoppers and staff was to cease operations. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate these difficult decisions.

We are diligently working to solve the food access issue and continue to support and protect our vendors. For now, you can find vendor contact info on our home page along with details for each on how you can contact them directly to place orders. Additionally, through a partnership with Top Box Foods and the ReFresh Market, we’ll have a CCFM Box available for home delivery every Tuesday and Thursday. We’ve got other projects in the works, to increase the volume and variety of local food available and will keep you posted with developments.

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.

CSA

This week’s Good Food Word is CSA - CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. There are many ways this can look, but usually someone purchases a subscription before the harvest season, and then receives a “share”, a pre-packaged assortment of the harvest through the course of the season. In this manner, farmers receive income when they need it to plant, and eaters get a variety of fresh produce directly from the grower. CSAs can aggregate produce from many farms, and while some require a subscription, others do not.

Picks of the Week:

Top Box Foods

Crescent City Farmers Market will be partnering with Top Box Foods to provide you with healthy, local, and affordable food delivered to a convenient pick-up location. Pre-order your CCFM box and support our farmers and producers while making sure your family is nourished and safe. Not only will you be able to continue to support our vendors, but ordering your groceries this way ensures greater social distancing. Market Match is available for this product, and SNAP shoppers who purchase it pay half price. For more information, visit https://www.topboxfoods.com/new-orleans/home.

Free Meals for Kids 18 and Under!

Though the statewide closure of schools is a necessary measure to minimizing the spread of COVID-19, without the guarantee of a school lunch, many families are left to struggle with food insecurity. Luckily, the Louisiana Department of Education has allowed many schools across the state to serve up to 2 free meals a day to any child aged 18 and under, regardless of school enrollment. These meals may be breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and many sites offer grab-and-go options or curbside pickup. Visit https://cnp.doe.louisiana.gov/ServingSites/ for a complete list of schools offering free meals state-wide (including 49 sites in New Orleans!)

Vendor of the Week:

Support Crescent City Farmers Market Vendors by Purchasing Directly

Even though markets may be closed, vendors still have plenty of product to sell! Many vendors are doing deliveries or offering options for pick-up, allowing you to buy from our producers directly. Some farmers, such as River Queen Greens, are offering pre-ordered, customizable CSA boxes available for pickup. You can visit https://www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org/vendors for a complete list of our vendors’ contact information, current availability, and pick-up or delivery options.

Recipe of the Week:

Smoky Lentil Stew

In our opinion, lentils are an underrated ingredient. Packed with fiber, iron, folate, and other essential nutrients, these little legumes cook relatively quickly and yield a lot. They’re as hearty as they are versatile: feel free to add hydroponic tomatoes, sweet potatoes, cilantro, or maybe a dash of red wine to this recipe. With the right seasoning, this pantry staple gives rice a run for its money.

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!