<p>Well Hello, Summer!</p> | June 25, 2024

Fresh & Local:

Well Hello, Summer!

The Summer Solstice has just passed, marking the longest day of the year and the official start of summer. As we bask in the extended daylight, our markets are bustling with the transition from spring to summer crops. We bid adieu to a fabulous strawberry season, as well as the tender spring veggies like peas and greens. The vibrant flavors of summer are beginning to take center stage! We’re already enjoying juicy tomatoes, eggplants, summer squash, and sweet corn - and have watermelon, peaches, and okra starting to fill the market. Come celebrate the season's bounty with us and enjoy the freshest produce straight from our local farmers! 

Did you know that you can keep track of What’s in Season on our website? CCFM’s farmers represent the unique geographic and climate diversity of our region and we enjoy local food production 12 months a year.

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.

Compost

Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, like leaves or vegetable scraps. The resulting compost is rich in nutrients, making it an excellent fertilizer for gardens and farms. Learn more about how to start composting at home - it’s quite easy! 

You can also collect your food scraps and bring them to the compost drop off with RealCycle at the Sunday City Park Market. Follow Compost-NOW to stay up to date on all things composting around New Orleans!

Picks of the Week:

Stay Cool & Hydrated

The markets are getting pretty hot these days. Hey, New Orleans Summer! But there’s plenty to cool off with, from popsicles available from Amanda’s Fresh Fruit Specialties and J&D Blueberry to the rainbow of juice/tea/muddled fruit choices available from Fresh Fruit Sensations, JuiceSee and Micro Pharms. Ice cold beverages will keep you hydrated and replenish your sweat-depleted electrolytes, and at CCFM the options include strawberry, blueberry and probiotic lemonades, kombucha, fresh squeezed juices and an abundance of boba choices.

Last Call for Bluebs

What a season it has been for blueberries! After an unfortunate season last year, we welcomed a million pounds (give or take..) of blueberries at the market over the last several weeks. As the blueberry season winds down, we wanted to give a shout that it’s almost the last call for fresh blueberries. Catch the last bounty from J&D Blueberry Farm, Bayou Sarah Farms, and Poché Family Farm.

Overheard at the Market

“When I can’t sleep, I get up and get a piece of Ms. Mary’s T&R Dairy cheddar cheese to eat in bed. Puts me right to sleep!” - anonymous market shopper. :)

Vendor of the Week:

Fat Cat Farm

Fat Cat Farm is a 1 acre (and growing) small scale specialty produce and cut flower farm in Poplarville, Mississippi. The farm had been operated for many generations but was converted to timberland 46 years ago when the previous owners could no longer manage it. When Estelle and her parents decided to rebuild a farm there in 2021, they had to focus on rejuvenating the soil health and structure in order to restore the old farmland and produce food again. Three years later, Fat Cat Farm has taken on an additional 3.5 acres to increase production of specialty produce and cut flowers, with the goal of creating greater access to unique varieties for the New Orleans community. Fat Cat Farm’s goal is to adapt more global varieties to be grown in the Deep South’s difficult climate through selective breeding and seed saving to expand seasonality and availability. Estelle and her family are from New Orleans originally and love providing fresh produce to their community through the Crescent City Farmers Market. Fat Cat Farm uses organic OMRI certified fertilizers, low till growing practices, and does not apply any pesticides, ever. 

Recipe of the Week:

Vegetarian Red Beans and Rice

Fresh red kidney beans have hit the market with Johndale Farms and this is a huge deal! Farmer Heather says they make a quick pot of red beans and rice, plus the raw beans freeze well if you want to capture the short growing season for later. Lots of classic New Orleans red beans and rice recipes have meat products in it - so we wanted to offer up a vegetarian alternative that’s just as delicious. Fill those bellies!