Dr. MLK Day with Market Umbrella | January 15, 2024

Fresh & Local:

Dr. MLK Day with Market Umbrella

“Why should there be hunger and deprivation in any land, in any city, at any table, when man has the resources and the scientific know-how to provide all mankind with the basic necessities of life? There is no deficit in human resources. The deficit is in human will..”

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As we reflect today on the profound impact that Dr. King has had both nationally and globally, this quote reminds us that hunger, inequity and economic opportunity are issues that are man-made, perpetuated by our economic, political and food production systems. At Market Umbrella, we work to create a community meeting place, where people from every part of New Orleans can connect around something that is both a joy and a necessity for us all: food. We operate programs that ensure health equity through equal opportunity to fresh food access. And provide business opportunities for all members of our community. Now in year 2 of our strategic plan implementation, we’ve increased the number of BIPOC vendors from 17.8% to 38% and we are still working hard to attract vendors to Crescent City Farmers Markets whose offerings represent the tapestry of foodways and cultures of the Greater New Orleans area.

We encourage you to shop local to support fresh food access in our community and provide equitable opportunities for the producers who provide it. And keep an eye out for Black History Month celebration activities at the Crescent City Farmers Markets!

Picks of the Week:

Top Box is Back

The CCFM box has returned to the Top Box website! Get the freshest local produce selected by the farmer who grew it, delivered to your door for free. Contents are sourced from across the CCFM vendor network, change weekly and now include the best of what fall has to offer us. Using EBT to pay? Select “Market Match Eligible” at check out for half off your box!

New Year, New Merch!

What better way to start the new year in style than with brand new CCFM merch! Swing by the market Welcome Tent to pick up an insulated cooler tote that’s large enough for your meat, dairy, and other perishables. We have a limited supply of super-soft light blue CCFM hoodies. Hot off the presses, you won’t want to miss the white ringer tee-shirts with the old CCFM logo on it. This logo is back from retirement on white cotton tees with a black collar and trim, available in sizes S-XXL. Sporting our gear helps spread the word about CCFM, and your purchase helps sustain markets. Check out the merch next time you’re at market!

King Cake Book Signing

Thank you to everyone who came out to yesterday’s book signing at market! We partnered with Octavia Books to host author Matt Haines. Shoppers had the chance to purchase signed copies of the Big and Little Books of King Cake. There is another opportunity to pick up a signed copy of either book from Matt Haines tomorrow at the Tuesday Uptown Market from 8 am - 12 pm. Sample a few slices of fresh king cake at market, while you read about the history and culture surrounding one of the Crescent City’s signature pastries. Three CCFM vendors’ king cakes are featured in the book, keep reading to find out who they are…

King Cakes of the Week

For the second week of carnival, we’re highlighting the CCFM vendors featured in the Big Book of King Cake, all available in the CCFM King Cake Guide. First, we want to celebrate Viola’s Heritage Breads, this year offering a dazzling array of cakes, Sweet Potato (Traditional & Vegan), Pecan, Lime Ginger, Spiked Apple, and Pomegranate Cream King Cakes. La Vie en Rose’s cakes are just as beautiful as they are delicious with unique flavors like Rose, Creole Cream cheese, and Almond Queen Cakes as well as a Don Creole Crawfish King cake. Passion Flour Baked Goods’ cakes are available by the slice at the Thursday Mid-City Market or whole cake by order. This year they have Blackberry Nutmeg Sweet Cream, Passion Fruit Honey Sweet Cream, Pistachio Cookie Butter, Vegan Cinnamon Sugar, and Chocolate Frangelico Hazelnut King Cakes.

Vendor of the Week:

Featured in the Big Book of King Cake

Viola’s Heritage Breads - Meet Carla Briggs of Viola’s Heritage Breads! After baking professionally for over 20 years, Carla created Viola’s Heritage Breads with the goal to create a perpetual international business. Viola’s Heritage Breads provides high-quality and flavorful bread, and is rooted in honoring the contributions of people of color in the culinary world. Viola’s menu is crafted to create flavor using fresh, high-quality, and wholesome ingredients. Find Viola’s Heritage Breads Sunday mornings at the City Park market!

La Vie En Rose - Meet Kirby Jones, the owner of La Vie En Rose! With deep roots in New Orleans Creole culture dating back to the 1800s, Kirby first fell in love with coffee when her grandmother, who lived across the street from the sugarcane fields in Lutcher, LA, handed her a cup of coffee and bunny bread to dip in it. Be sure to stop by La Vie En Rose’s table at the Sunday City Park Market and check out their cold brew and one-of-a-kind cakes and pastries!

Passion Flour Baked Goods - Passion Flour is a team effort, with spouses Ryder––the baker––and Jade––the manager and cake decorator––working together to create something unique. Passion Flour is an innovative micro-bakery that creates delicious and visually-striking pastries, cakes, and drinks with an emphasis on tropical and local ingredients, carrying a healthy selection of vegan and gluten-free options. Find them at the Thursday Mid-City Market.

Recipe of the Week:

Zesty Turnip Salad

January is in the thick of root veggie season. Carrots, radishes, and turnips bigger than your head fill the tables at market. This turnip salad recipe from Culinary Beets breaks those turnips down into a delicious salad, the apple cider vinegar in the dressing packs a tasty, zesty punch. Turnips are high in fiber and low in calories, which can help keep hunger at bay and keep blood sugar levels stable. When peeling a turnip, try to preserve as much of the magenta color as possible. It adds a beautiful color element that is complemented by the red onion. Many vendors have turnips at market right now, to see a list of who will be at market each week, click here.