<p>Tomayto, Tomahto</p> | June 11, 2024

Fresh & Local:

Tomayto, Tomahto

Now how would you say it with a Louisiana accent? Because it’s creole tomato season! We’ve still got a few weeks to go before the official first day of summer, but heat loving veggies are popping up all over the market these days. New red potatoes, bell peppers, you name it. And especially field tomatoes! While we have the benefit of tasty (almost) year-round hydroponics that are way better than your average grocery tomato, field grown tomatoes are a special warm weather treat and offer a satisfying burst of flavor. Creole tomatoes are a Louisiana staple, and our rich alluvial soil is the secret ingredient! All tomatoes are Market Match applicable, so double those SNAP dollars. Louisiana Gourmet Produce is back for the first time this season with their abundant assortment of creole and heirloom tomatoes - get ‘em while you can!

Good Food Word of the Week:

While Market Umbrella is known for our farmers markets and fresh food access programs, food systems work touches on many social, economic, and environmental issues. The Good Food Word of the Week seeks to shed some light on these parts of our work and the way we talk – demystifying the jargon.

Community-based Food System

“Community -based food systems are systems of exchange that strive to bring food producers and food consumers into affinity with each other, for the purposes of fostering community health, wealth, connection and capacity.” - Ken Meter

Picks of the Week:

Louisiana Seafood Passport + Bike Tour

Join us for the Eat Local Bike Tour next Sunday, June 16th! We’ll be kicking off the morning with coffee at the City Park Market at 10 am, with visits to loved local spots like Grow Dat Youth Farm and Porgy’s Seafood. We will also be celebrating the launch of the Louisiana Seafood Passport, encouraging (sea)foodies to support local food establishments that serve fresh and local seafood. Seafoodies can redeem five receipts including the purchase of seafood items at any of the 45 listed destinations for a free tote bag! Bring your bike and your appetite! Follow along by car or meet us at one of the spots.

Greaux the Good in the Advocate

Hot off the press! Greaux the Good inspires healthy eating habits and community connections. Our statewide nutrition incentive program is hard at work bringing families all over Louisiana closer to fresh, local, and affordable food. The Crescent City Farmers Markets offer SNAP and FMNP nutrition incentive matches through Market Match, and GTG helps markets and farm stands all over the state participate in similar programs. Learn more about how residents of Northwest Louisiana take advantage of these programs at the Shreveport Farmers Market.

Welcome Maggie, Robertson Scholar!

For many years, Market Umbrella has partnered with The Robertson Scholars Leadership Program out of Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill to offer hands-on experience to students in the leadership development program. Maggie is joining the team for the summer to learn about market operations and finance, and offer support in many of the ongoing projects that keep Market Umbrella running.

“I'm Maggie and I'm a rising Sophomore at Duke University studying Biology and Economics. I'm very excited about working with Market Umbrella and learning about the important role of farmers' markets in ensuring regional economic sustainability and the health and environmental benefits of practices promoted by our vendors. Thank you everyone for being so welcoming thus far and I look forward to meeting more people at our next market!” - Maggie, Robertson Scholar

Food Safety at the Farmers Market

Market Umbrella is continuing to support producers and vendors at the market with another installment of the Food Safety for Farmers Markets Training this Tuesday, June 18th. This class will cover the ins and outs of food safety risks and prevention measures for small scale food producers. Dr. Achyut from the LSU AgCenter will be here to share their knowledge from the School of Nutrition and Food Science. Sign up to reserve your spot today!

Vendor of the Week:

Bayou Sarah Farms

We're so excited to welcome Bayou Sarah Farms to the Sunday City Park Market!

Bayou Sarah Farms produces grass fed water buffalo meat and tallow balm, pasture raised eggs, all natural organic blueberries, and honey. All of the animals are heritage breeds and are raised in conditions as close to their natural environments as possible. Each water buffalo has a name! Any feed used is nonGMO. There are no herbicides, pesticides, antibiotics, or chemicals used- ever. Honey is only harvested once a year to allow the bees to build up their supply to survive the winter months; it is available only in small quantities. Blueberries are available seasonally, usually mid May through June. Meat, eggs, and tallow are available year round! 

Stay up to date with Bayou Sarah Farms through their Instagram page where they make educational posts about their farming practices. They also offer farm to table events and tours by appointment.

Recipe of the Week:

Marinated Creole Tomatoes

All year round, tomatoes excel as best supporting actress - sliced on cheeseburgers, wedged in salads, and simmered into any sauce. But when the summer heat arrives and creole tomatoes hit the market, they take home the leading award. Juicy, ripe, local tomatoes are delicious with just a simple dress up. Try this marinated creole tomato recipe to cool down any summer lunch!