Women Making History in Agriculture | March 27, 2023

Fresh & Local:

Women Making History in Agriculture

As National Womens’ History Month comes to a close, we set our sights on the future of the region’s food system. Last year, Market Umbrella made history with the launch of Greaux the Good, a new statewide program which gives Louisiana farmers markets, farm stands, and agriculture cooperatives funding and technical assistance to start or expand their own Market Match program. Greaux the Good is the first program in Louisiana history to receive legislative funding to support farmers markets! This program will increase the number of produce retailers that accept SNAP, thereby increasing food access for families and economic opportunity for food producers. In less than a year, Greaux the Good has added 9 partner markets across the state - and is still growing! The Greaux the Good team is excited to continue making history and to shape the future of food access in Louisiana through this program.

As Greaux the Good Director, Chelsea Jackson oversees this statewide program, working to ensure prospective and existing partners have the resources they need to successfully operate Market Match in their community. Chelsea’s professional career has consisted of providing educational opportunities, technical assistance, and resources to minority and underserved growers, producers, and food business operators. She has worked collaboratively on statewide, regional, and national programs and projects in the realms of food/produce safety, food insecurity, and nutrition/wellness. Chelsea loves being a daughter, sister, mom, and wife. When she gets free time she loves to relax during a good thunderstorm, watch sci-fi or post-apocalyptic movies/shows, or find a new animal to add to the family.

Picks of the Week:

2023 Moonlight Market:
Ticket Sales Now Live!

On April 20th from 6pm to 9pm, Market Umbrella will host Moonlight Market! You can now buy tickets online for this spectacular event, which features farm-to-table fare from New Orleans’ finest restaurant and pop-up chefs, as well as live music, craft beverages, and a silent auction. Spend the evening with us and connect with local food producers, businesses, and community partners that make our markets and food access work possible. For more details and to buy tickets, visit our website.

Marketeers Club Meetup this Sunday!

Join us for the next Marketeers meetup on Sunday, April 2 at the Sunday City Park Market! For the next activity, we’re calling all kiddos to help us with our Moonlight Market fundraiser by creating one-of-a-kind artwork that we can auction at the event. Be sure to invite your friends and loved ones to Moonlight Market to bid on your Marketeer’s masterpiece!

Marketeers Club is a free membership program for market-goers under the age of 12. Marketeers participate in monthly market activities and receive a special $5 market token of appreciation during their birthday month! To join in the fun, enroll your kids in the Marketeers Club by completing this membership form.

Volunteer with Market Umbrella!

We’re looking for folks who enjoy spending time at the Crescent City Farmers Market to assist us with our programs and activities! There are several fun volunteer opportunities at CCFM this upcoming week—we need help counting visitor foot traffic at the Tuesday and Thursday markets, and on Sunday, volunteers can assist with Marketeers Club! Volunteering is a great way to learn more about Market Umbrella’s work and get involved with the CCFM community. Click here to sign up to volunteer.

Vendor of the Week:

T&R Dairy

Meet Mary Regan, the dairy farmer behind T&R Dairy! Hailing from Liberty, Mississippi, Mary is a fourth-generation dairy farmer, producing aged cheese, yogurt, whole milk, and eggs, along with beef yielded from their grass-fed cattle. T&R also specializes in pasteurized milk, artisan cheeses such as Gouda and Havarti, and fresh and cultured butter. Visit T&R Dairy’s table at any of our markets and grab yourself something special!

Recipe of the Week:

Swiss Chard Tahini Dip

Swiss chard is a nutritional powerhouse — an excellent source of vitamins K, A, and C, as well as a good source of magnesium, potassium, iron, and dietary fiber. When picking Swiss chard, look for bright, full leaves. Avoid leaves that are yellow, discolored or wilted. This swiss chard tahini dip recipe (adapted from epicurious) is loaded with vitamins and minerals from the swiss chard as well as the tahini which is also rich in fiber and protein – not to mention how scrumptious it is!

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!