Shrimp is on the Menu | August 19, 2019

Fresh & Local:

Tis’ the Season!

Did you know Louisiana has shrimp seasons? While pink, brown, and white shrimp are fished year round in the Gulf, as you move inshore the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries manages which species are fishable and when. On August 5, white shrimp season was opened. Obtaining local shrimp has been hard as of late with the state of the lake but this past week we saw the return of Four Winds Seafood to our markets! Finally!

White shrimp are flavorful, sweet and firm and are considered the industry standard which both imported and domestic browns and pinks are measured against. In Louisiana, shrimping creates 14,000 jobs and 1.3 billion dollars in revenue annually but the industry faces steep competition from imports with 90% of the seafood Americans consume coming from abroad. For further reading on common countries of origin, farming practices, humanitarian, food safety and environmental concerns with imported shrimp that show that cheaper is definitely not better, start here. Support local fishers, this important local industry, and buy better tasting shrimp by going straight to the source - your farmers market vendor!

Picks of the Week:

WIC FMNP Doubling

This year, as part of our efforts to make fresh, local produce more affordable for families, we are doubling Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) recipients. These once-yearly coupons can be used with certified local farmers to purchase local fruits and vegetables for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers and families with young children, thereby increasing the spending power of families, while also supporting local farmers. Most CCFM produce growers can accept these. Just look for vendors with the yellow placard pictured here at their tents.

Daughters of Charity will be at the Tuesday, Uptown market from 9-1pm distributing WIC FMNP booklets to families who receive WIC. Stop by the welcome tent at any of our markets with your WIC FMNP booklet after you’ve spent your coupons and our staff will give you $20 in additional vouchers to spend on fresh produce, valid through August.

PSA Training

Market Umbrella’s farm to school project Harvesting for Health in Louisiana works with New Orleans public, primary schools to bring all three aspects of farm to school, namely, school gardens, curriculum and local procurement. Part of this work is in preparing local growers to sell to schools. Last week, we hosted a Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) training in New Orleans and a follow up Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) workshop led by the food safety team at the LSU Ag Center. PSA trainings give growers a rigorous food safety knowledge to complete the GAP workshop and receive a certification recognizing food safety practices on their farm. While GAP certification is optional, many produce distributors, who sell produce to schools, require this certification. With over 20 farmers in attendance over both days, we’re well on our way to increasing the number of local growers in the farm to school pipeline!

You’re One in a Mirliton!

That’s why we need you! Want to get more involved in the markets and our food access programming? Summer is a great time to volunteer at markets - it’s hot, but markets are busy and cheerful places to be. Come hang out and talk about your favorite seasonal recipes while you work alongside staff to set up and break down market and beverage service, lead children’s activities, as well as engage with customers and vendors. See the inside workings of our various fresh food access programs, and while you’re here, pick up all the fresh fruits and veggies (and seafood, meat, dairy, bread, etc.) you need.

Check out our calendar of available volunteer opportunities and sign up for a spot directly through the calendar. Check back often as we also use this calendar to post volunteer opportunities at various events we attend around town and host ourselves. We are always posting new shifts for market events - see you at market :)

San Fermin in Nueva Orleans

August 24th marks the 13th annual Running of the Bulls (postponed from Hurricane Barry)! San Fermin in Nueva Orleans is our homage to the world famous Encierro of Pamplona, Spain, a.k.a. The Running of the Bulls. Instead of bovines, our bulls are actually RollerBulls played by skaters selected from roller derby leagues around the world including New Orleans’ all-female flat-track derby team the Big Easy Rollergirls!

To make your morning trek to the Saturday CBD market before the bulls hit the street, we recommend heading to market from the Dome or Carondelet via the interstate.

Vendor of the Week:

Four Winds Seafood

Your favorite “Shrimp Lady” is back at the market! Named for “Big Ray” Brandhurst’s handmade 50-foot trawler, Four Winds Seafood represents a seven-going-on-eight generation family tradition of commercial shrimping. The Brandhursts, known for their shrimp, limit trawling time to 30 minutes to reduce the mortality rate of any bycatch, which ensures a top quality product. Fishing time is spent in deep passes harvesting only from the water’s surface so as not to disturb the ecosystem on the floor below. In addition to wild-caught Louisiana shrimp harvested from the Breton and Chandeleur Sounds, Ray’s wife Kay Brandhurst also sells bycatch from Ray’s trips including drum, flounder and even squid!

You can currently find Four Winds Seafood at the Uptown, Mid-City, and CBD markets. Kay expects to be back at the Bucktown market in a few weeks.

Tuesday’s Green Plate Special:

Chef Indigo

Greetings and much love from Chef Indigo, a plant-based chef, yogi, and our August Green Plate Special. Chef Indigo has been specializing in the art of food for a little over 7 years and focuses on educational programs teaching children how to cook by giving them valuable information on staying uplifted, aware, and healthy in the best ways possible! Chef Indigo believes that he is here to help people elevate mentally, spiritually, and physically. Catch him every Tuesday at the Uptown Market in August and be sure to try the cashew queso, with just the right amount of heat!

Recipe of the Week:

Honey Garlic Shrimp Skillet

Can I get a heck yeah? Yea! Look at this sticky critter recipe from The Cooking Jar. Get yourself a pound (or two) of shrimp, garlic from Amorphous Gardens, and Powers BeeKeepers spring harvest honey from market and you are good to go.

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!