Crescent City Farmers Market

Fresh & Local:

Hello gardeners! Whether you kept up your garden through the summer or you’re starting fresh this fall, now is the time to start planning your fall garden. After the heat of summer, fall weather brings a beautiful season to be outside growing with a plethora of fall crops to choose from. Our markets are a great place to pick up locally grown seedlings alongside local gardening advice from our knowledgeable vendors.

For your seedling needs, our vendors will be offering a selection heavy in varieties of greens and herbs. Greens such as collards, mustards, lettuces, arugula and kale will flourish in this season. Now is also an opportune moment to re-stock your herb garden with fresh varieties of your favorite herbs. We are excited to see old standards and new varieties from all our plant vendors.

On Tuesdays, check out Jim Mizell’s beautiful spread of plants. He offers a huge selection of herbs, vegetables, trees and decorative plants. Here is where you will find lots of seedlings and garden starts, as well as some more developed plants, shrubs and trees. On Saturdays, J&D farms brings you herb starts that will refresh your garden and kitchen! Southbound will be returning to the market on Saturdays and Thursdays. While on hiatus they have moved to a new nursery and promise bigger better things soon to come! While all their seedlings are selected for their viability in our climate, their ‘locally adapted’ seedlings are grown from second and third generation plants this season, making them stronger and more acclimated to our environment. Southbound will also be returning with an expanded edible and medicinal flower selection. All flowers from Southbound are useful as well as good-looking, so don’t forget to ask how to use your plant as you buy. If you’re interested in gaining some gardening skills this season, check out classes offered by Southbound! These classes are offered regularly and are a great resource for gardeners new and old. And don’t miss our workshops at the market this month!

Pick of the Week:
Southbound Gardens Workshops
at the Market

Visit the Saturday market through October for a workshop series courtesy of Southbound Gardens. $15 suggested donation.

Saturday, Oct. 14: Veggie Growing Basics
Join us for this highly practical guide to get you started growing veggies in your garden for cheap. This class will focus on bed building, soil preparation, watering and plant selection.

Saturday, Oct. 21: Basics of Beekeeping
We will be showing you the tools for the job and teaching you all the most important steps to get your apiary started.

Saturday Oct. 28: Container Farming
Growing food in pots may not be ideal but sometimes it’s all us city dwellers have! Join us to learn insider tips on how to set up a successful container garden including appropriate containers, drainage, soil, fertilizer and more!

Crescent Funds for the Gericas

If you are interested in donating to the Gerica family to help cover funeral expenses via the Crescent Fund please visit the welcome tent at the market or our website for more details. Market Umbrella’s Crescent Fund provides relief for our vendors and farmers directly. Funds raised are allocated based on need and used to help vendors get back on their feet. Pete and Chris Gerica have gotten back to work and we look forward to welcoming them back to market!

Vendor of the Week:
VEGGI Farmers Cooperative

VEGGI Farmers Co-op is a farmers cooperative comprised of community members in New Orleans East growing local fresh produce on a one acre community farm and in aquaponics systems. VEGGI also produces fresh tofu, with three distinct flavors - plain, chili lemongrass, and mushroom vermicelli.

In addition, VEGGI has a CSA program for customers to receive a weekly fresh harvest delivered straight to their home. CSA orders can be made through their website.

VEGGI will soon take on a farm expansion to to include a fruit orchard as part of a new senior living center project. They are also working to provide soymilk in pints and a future crowdfunding campaign to upgrade their delivery vehicle - more info to come soon! VEGGI provides produce and tofu to over 20 restaurants throughout the city and you can find them at both the Tuesday and Thursday markets.

Tuesday’s Green Plate Special:
La Monita Pop Up

Simple, delicious Colombian inspired food made from locally sourced ingredients and a whole lot of love. Arepas, plantains, tropical fruits and everything in between inspired by a "monita"s (colombian slang for blond girl) culinary journey through the amazing country. Catch them around New Orleans, popping up at awesome local businesses. Enjoy and be transported…¡Qué rico! Check them out here!

Recipe of the Week:
Vietnamese Eggplant Curry

This one comes from one of VEGGI’s CSA subscribers, Thomas Lasher and Mai Do, using a recipe from Melanie Barnard and Charles Pierce in Essentials of Slow Cooking.

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!