So Much to Celebrate! | June 13, 2022

Fresh & Local:

So Much to Celebrate!

June is a busy month for many of us, and around the Market Umbrella office and Crescent City Farmers Markets is no exception. There is so much to celebrate!

Sunday, June 19 is the Juneteenth holiday, an important day where we recognize the impacts of slavery that are still felt today, and celebrate the end of slavery in the United States. We take particular note of the important contributions made by Black farmers and inventors like George Washington Carver, who pioneered crop rotation, and Booker T. Whatley, the creator of the Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) model; these concepts are still used today in our area’s farming community! To learn more about them and other amazing Black leaders in U.S. agriculture, check out this link.

June 19 is also Fathers Day, and there are lots of delicious gifts available for dads at the Crescent City Farmers Markets. Why not grill out and make a fantastic surf-and-turf dinner with shrimp from Anna Marie Seafood or Pete & Clara’s Seafood and choice cuts of beef from Black Creek Farms or T & R Dairy?

Last but certainly not least, we are thrilled to share that the Louisiana Legislature has allocated $889,000 in the state budget for Greaux the Good, a new program that will provide Louisiana farmers markets with funding to create or expand a Market Match SNAP program. Low-income shoppers will receive a dollar-for-dollar match for every SNAP dollar they spend at participating farmers markets. Market Umbrella has been appointed to administer the funds to eligible farmers markets across the state, and we are thrilled to move forward with this exciting work! To stay up to date on the latest with Greaux the Good, visit the Greaux the Good website and sign up for the newsletter!

Picks of the Week:

Free Training: Maximizing the Utility of Your Farm with Terence Jackson from SPROUT NOLA

Join us on Wednesday, June 15th from 5-6pm for the next free training in our spring vendor technical assistance series, “Maximizing the Utility of Your Farm” with Terence Jackson. This training is designed to help farmers explore ways to expand revenue streams for agribusiness. Topics include agritourism (event rental), crop diversification, and value-added products, among others.

Recommended to attend: Farmers market vendors, other small food or agriculture businesses, and market or small business support organizations. Sessions are free - please RSVP here. Check out the link to view other upcoming trainings scheduled for this month.

Calling all Moms and Moms-To-Be

Great news! We are excited to announce that Market Mommas Club is back and now enrolling participants. Mothers who are pregnant or are currently breastfeeding babies up to 6 months old, receive Medicaid or WIC benefits, and did not participate in the program in the past are eligible to enroll. You'll be connected with a breastfeeding support group and then receive $60 a month to spend at all of our market locations. To enroll click here. For additional questions, please reach out to MMC@marketumbrella.org.

Check out our job openings!

Like food? Like people? Join the Market Umbrella team and help us build a stronger food system and healthier community! We are looking for two part-time Market Coordinators to assist with market prep, setup, run of show and breakdown, and a full time Administrative & Communications Manager to work on social media, marketing, and team support. For more information and to apply, click here!

It’s Eat Local Challenge Time!

The Eat Local Challenge is a celebration and exploration of New Orleans’ food and agricultural heritage. For the month of June (aka peak produce season!) New Orleanians are challenged to support local farmers, fishers, food makers, restaurants, breweries, spirits handlers and food advocates. We encourage participants to support the local food system; by shopping at the farmers market of course, but also eating in restaurants that prioritize local sourcing, shopping at locally owned grocery stores, and recognizing the hard work and history of the people who made and continue to make New Orleans the best place to eat. Participants also look forward to parties, classes, tours, events, and a host of other opportunities to celebrate all the bounty of New Orleans! Check out the calendar of events here, and join us at the CCFM for a local food demo by Chef Kim this Sunday, June 19th at the City Park market.

Vendor of the Week:

J&D Blueberry Farm

Jeff and Don of J&D Blueberry Farm have been in the blueberry business since 2004, and today they care for 25 acres of the good stuff! Located in Poplarville, Mississippi, these seasonal growers have been stocking our fridge year after year, everyone waiting in anticipation each spring for their return to markets. The acidic soil in southern ‘Ssippi is perfect for the blueberry bushes--and surprisingly, tea! The pair expanded into growing Camellia sinensis plants (the plant from which tea is made), starting the operation in 2006 and finally launching their tea products in 2017. Today, J&D offers a variety of baked goods, jams and jellies, teas and cold drinks, as well as fresh and frozen blueberries and delicious and creamy fruit and yogurt popsicles. Find them at every CCFM market.

Recipe of the Week:

Savory Veggie-Fruit Parfait

Choose seasonal ingredients when preparing your next summertime snack. This time of year is peak season and CCFM markets are full of an abundant variety of fruit, vegetables, and value added products! This three ingredient parfait makes snack time or dessert a cinch - all of these items can be found at one or more of our vendors at any CCFM location. Want to mix it up with your own modifications?Try grabbing some pecans to sprinkle on top or adding blackberries for mixed berry goodness.

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!