Cool off with a Popsicle to beat this extreme heat | August 28, 2023

Fresh & Local:

Cool off with a Popsicle to beat this extreme heat

It’s hotter than a billy goat with a blow torch! All kidding aside, the rising Mercury and lack of rain have been challenging. Gov. John Bel Edwards issued a state of emergency in Louisiana as record-breaking heat and a lengthy drought continues to create dangerous conditions across much of the South. We may feel like we are literally cooking in this heat, but how the heck are our farmers making out? Many CCFM vendors have reported animal casualties, greatly reduced milk and egg production, complete loss or greatly diminished yields of produce crops, major setbacks with germination of fall crops, and all are forced to spend money on last ditch emergency irrigation efforts.

What is Crescent City Farmers Market doing to help? We set up cooling stations at all markets, and staff are educated on the warning signs/ treatment of heat exhaustion. Market Umbrella is advocating to local agricultural leaders to release much needed emergency resources for producers, while also working with regional universities to address heat-stress related impacts on crops. Please join us at the Crescent City Farmers Markets in support of our vendors who are working diligently to feed and nourish us in this heat……just be sure to dress in loose, light-colored clothing, take frequent breaks and hydrate!

Picks of the Week:

September Marketeers Meetup

It’s time for the September Marketeers meetup! Join CFFM and all your Marketeer friends on Sunday, September 3rd, from 8 am to noon for a crossword puzzle activity from the LSU Ag Center. There will also be prizes! Meet us at the More Than a Market Tent. Marketeers Club is a free membership program for market goers under the age of 12. To learn more about the program and enroll your kids in the Marketeers Club, please complete this brief membership form.

Market Mommas Club Enrollment
is Now Open

Enrollment for Market Mommas Club is now open! Market Momma’s Club is an incentive program for parents who are breastfeeding or parents-to-be who are planning to breastfeed and are Louisiana Medicaid and/or WIC eligible. Club members receive $60 in tokens every month to be spent at any CCFM location. To learn more and to join the club, visit our website. This program would not be possible without our Market Momma’s Club partners: NOLA Baby Café, My Training Grounds NOLA, Café Con Leche, Birthmark Doula Collective, the Junior League of New Orleans and Louisiana Healthcare Connections.

Local Ingredients featured
in Coolinary Menus

August has almost passed, but there are still a few sweet days to sample from the coolinary menus. Many participating coolinary restaurants uplift the regional food system and local farmers by prioritizing fresh, high-quality, locally sourced seasonal ingredients in their menus. At Atchafalaya, toast your Garden Spritz to celebrate coolinary with house-infused cucumber gin, green apple, basil, lime, and sparkling wine. Restaurant Patois’ coolinary menu begins with a refreshing watermelon salad with pumpkin seed gremolata, pickled watermelon rind, arugula, and feta. Seafood Sally’s has another stellar starter, the Crabsanthemum with lump crabmeat and claws in butter and crab fat with chili and lemongrass. At Palm & Pine, you can choose the delicious Shrimp Creole Captain with a creole tomato curry, Mississippi Rice grits, bacon, peach pickle, and brown butter almonds. Long time Advocate food writer Ian McNulty calls their ice cream alone worth a visit. Check out the house-made buttermilk or preserved lemon for a delectable dessert!

Food Safety at Farmers Markets

Have you ever wanted to be a farmers' market vendor? Come learn best practices with us! This certification program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to ensure safe and healthy food practices. This is a great opportunity to enhance your food safety knowledge and contribute to the well-being of our community. Our speaker, Dr. Achyut Adhikari of the LSU Ag Center will cover topics such as proper hygiene, temperature control, and preventing cross-contamination; participants can learn about local regulations and guidelines to comply with food safety standards. Content is geared toward all types of food sold at farmers market from produce to ready-to-eat meals. Space is limited, so reserve your spot by clicking here.

Vendor of the Week:

Amanda's Fruit Specialties

Meet Amanda of Amanda’s Fruit Specialties! Amanda has been bringing fresh juices and popsicles to the market for over 20 years! Growing up in Nicaragua, she ate fresh fruit like papaya, coconut, and mango daily. She wanted to bring those bright seasonal tastes to New Orleans, packing a punch in her juice and frozen fruit bars. Some of Amanda’s most famed specialties include peach lemonade, watermelon lime, ginger lemonade, and her avocado cream frozen fruit bar. Catch Amanda at a Tuesday, Thursday, or occasional Sunday market to grab one of these sweet treats!

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Recipe of the Week:

Watermelon Lime Spritzer

Save your watermelon for snacks! Pick up a bottle of watermelon lime juice from Amanda’s Fruit Specialties for these watermelon lime spritzers from Grumpy Olive. Her juice already contains lime, the additional lime juice in this recipe is optional for those on the zesty side. For a more flavorful cocktail, add some watermelon chunks to the jug and save some for garnish. Check in with VEGGI Co-Op to see what other herbs may complement the cocktail; maybe some shiso, mint, or basil? Garnish the cocktail with a freshly cut watermelon slice, sliced jalapeño pepper, or even a tajin rim. This recipe calls for 2 ½ cups of watermelon juice and serves four; that is just over one bottle of watermelon lime juice from Ms. Amanda. Double or triple your recipe for more friends!