‘Tis the Giving Season | December 20, 2021

Fresh & Local:

‘Tis the Giving Season

Thank you Commander’s Palace for supporting local food systems!

On October 13th Commander’s Palace hosted a virtual wine and cheese party for everyone that loves Louisiana, New Orleans, and Jazz Fest to come together, sample coveted wines and specialty cheeses, classic Creole cuisine, and support the South Louisiana community recovering from Hurricane Ida. The event raised over $3,800 and all proceeds will go directly to the Crescent Fund, which provides emergency relief to local CCFM farmers, ranchers, fishers and food producers.

Picks of the Week:

Holiday Market Schedule

On December 26th and January 2nd, our Sunday City Park Market will be closed so that our vendors can celebrate Christmas and New Years. We encourage shoppers to support our local producers and food businesses by checking out our other weekly markets before Christmas and New Years at the Tuesday Uptown and Thursday Mid-City Market.

There’s Still Time to Support
Market Umbrella in 2021!

As we race towards the finish of 2021, there is still time to make a tax deductible donation to Market Umbrella’s end of year appeal. Your support can help us reach our fundraising goals for the year, which is crucial for the organization in the year ahead. As we enter into a new year where we all hope to spend more time in community with one another, Market Umbrella’s mission of supporting public markets for public good is more vital than ever. Sharing fresh food, live music, and friendly conversation with one another at market is a true pleasure for so many of us, and as a non-profit organization we rely on public support to continue offering weekly markets, as well as the variety of food access programs and small business technical assistance that Market Umbrella provides year-round. Support the markets and programs you love for the year ahead: visit our website or text CCFM to 44-321 to donate to Market Umbrella, the non-profit that makes it all happen, today!

$60 Market Match Cap
Effective January 1, 2022

Market Umbrella will be lowering the unlimited Market Match to offer up to $60 in dollar-for-dollar Market Match for shoppers paying with SNAP to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. Unlimited Market Match has been a huge success and would not be possible without the $500,000 USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) award we received in 2020, and was critical during COVID peaks, allowing all customers to stock up in a single shopping trip. This new cap will allow for longevity of the program with a higher match amount. Partners Top Box Foods, Grow Dat Youth Farm, and River Queen Greens will all observe the same $60 daily match limit.

Vendor of the Week:

Sassy Cajun Spices

Let’s welcome one of our newest vendors at market with open arms and open mouths, because Sandra Smith is bringing us a bangin’ pre-made gumbo mix. Add water, vegetables, and your protein of choice and boom–a bowlful of Southern comfort is ready in half an hour. Sassy Cajun Spices has been in the business for ten years, selling gumbo mix, hand-mixed spice blends, and other savory treats like her best-selling jambalaya mix and five different cajun dips (pro-tip: ask for a sample!). The recipes have all come from the Pointe-Aux-Chenes tribe in Terrebonne Parish, of which Sandra and her mother are both members. Inspired by her grandparents, she continues to carry on the tradition they and the other tribe members have passed down by sharing their delicious methods with those who appreciate good ol’ Louisiana cooking. Catch Sandra at all three of our weekly markets!

Recipes of the Week:

Christmas Gumbo

Christmas Gumbo is a holiday tradition in many households in Louisiana. If you haven’t made a big pot of gumbo yet this season, then check out this Christmas Gumbo recipe. It boasts a dark roux, veggies, chicken, sausage and shrimp! And if you’re short on time or don’t feel you’re cooking skills are up to roux-making yet, grab a gumbo mix at Sassy Cajun Spices!

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