National Farmers Market Week | August 3, 2020

Fresh & Local:

National Farmers Market Week

The Crescent City Farmers Market began in 1995 and hosts almost 100 farmers, fishers, and food producers selling a wide variety of products, including fresh gulf seafood and critters from the bayou, geographically significant crops like Creole tomatoes, mirlitons, cushaw, Ponchatoula strawberries and Plaquemines Citrus, local honey, heirlooms old and new, grass-fed beef, local small dairy and so much more.

Celebrating our 25th anniversary this year is not quite what we thought it would be (understatement of the century!) but we’ve been quick on our toes and nimbly adjusted to the pandemic by offering home delivery, drive thru markets and now a modified walk up market that keep eaters and food producers safe, connected, and in business.

Our small staff has been very busy charting a new path for our markets, and Market Umbrella depends on contributions from generous donors to fund these operations as well as several incentive programs that promote equitable fresh food access, a systemic problem which has been exacerbated during the pandemic. If you’ve appreciated being able to find fresh, local produce, meat and bread while grocery store shelves have lain empty or been rationed, please take a moment and text CCFM to 44-321 or visit our website to make a donation today to the market you love. Your gift will fund these operations and help us continue to support our vendors and the local economy, while supporting our community with fresh, healthy food. We can’t do it without you!

Good Food Word of the Week:

In addition to running farmers markets, a critical component of Market Umbrella’s work is to enhance food and nutrition access and awareness in our community. The Good Food Word of the Week seeks to shed some light on this part of our work and also to demystify the jargon.

Triple bottom line

This week’s Good Food Word is Triple bottom line – or 3BL/TBL, refers to the social, ecological and economic bottom lines of any business, whether for-profit or non-profit. In a farmers market, a community meeting place (or third place) is created where food that is sustainably produced and travels fewer miles to get to the end consumer is purchased by the surrounding community directly from the producer, directly supporting the local economy by keeping food dollars circulating locally. It’s part of why it can feel so good to eat fresh, local food (and why we look forward to a more “normal” gathering space).

Picks of the Week:

WhatsGood Celebrates Farmers Market Week

To celebrate National Farmers Market week, WhatsGood, our online farmers market host, is getting in the spirit and will donate 10% of your purchase to our Market Match program which doubles SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) dollars spent at market. As always, use the online marketplace to place your orders ahead of time. Enter code DONATE10 when making your purchases this week for any of our markets. Now more than ever in these uncertain times, Market Match helps community members stretch their food dollars, so this is a win-win!

Breastfeeding Welcome Here

In addition to being National Farmers Market Week, it is also World Breastfeeding Week and National WIC Breastfeeding Week, #WICbreastfeeding. Market Umbrella and CCFM know mommas make the world go ‘round and we’re doing our part! Breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition for baby’s health and growth resulting in life-long cognitive and developmental benefits. Our Market Mommas Club supports mom and baby on their breastfeeding journey by helping to overcome economic barriers to fresh, local foods. MMC moms are connected with lactation support and encouragement from our community partners New Orleans Breastfeeding Center and NOLA Baby Cafe and receive $80 per month in market tokens to shop at our Tuesday market. Membership enrollment is happening now for our 2020 Club!

Ode to Summer Gumbo

Summertime gumbo
Peppers, shrimp, okra, and roux
It’s never too hot!

-Cristina Berthelot, Market Manager

Vendor of the Week:

Amanda’s Frozen Fruit Bars

Summer is here and is NOT messing around. Rainy one day, hot the next and ALWAYS humid! Have no fear! Amanda is here! Whether you prefer a cold-pressed juice or a full-fruit popsicle, she’s got the goods for respite against the summer heat… even if it is only until your popsicle melts! Grab a peach lemonade, watermelon juice or the famed avocado cream popsicle next time you’re at the Tuesday market or preorder when they’re at our Sunday Drive Thru.

Recipe of the Week:

Shrimp and Okra Gumbo

It’s been said that we are gluttons for pain and suffering. Is that why we crave a steamy bowl of gumbo on an unbearably hot day? Maybe, but I think it is because there’s nothing better than shrimp and okra gumbo. And let’s face it, we are entering deep summer AKA okra season. Long sunny days and the bounty of fresh okra at the market keep us dreaming of chilly nights and a dark roux. Well I say there’s no reason to wait - eat it now! Just make sure you throw some chopped okra in the freezer to save the season. Check out this recipe by Acadiana Table if you need some inspo. We won’t tell anyone ;)

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!