Got Milk? | July 26, 2021

Fresh & Local:

Got Milk?

Dairy has been a household staple in the family home for decades, but with a decline in small-scale family-run dairy farms in the United States (and more specifically here in Southeast Louisiana) it has become harder and harder to find milk and other dairy products locally.

Here at Crescent City Farmers Market, we are proud to support our local dairy industry by hosting two amazing dairy vendors at market-- T&R Dairy and Huckleberry Fred’s Creamery! In the summertime when many of our produce vendors slow down their production, you can count on our dairy vendors to be at market. You can find an assortment of creamy products with these vendors, from goat’s milk and feta cheese to farmhouse habanero cheddar and tangy whole milk yogurt.

Although you can generally find milk and cheese at market year-round, T&R Diary also offers seasonal products like butter in the cooler months and eggs. In the late summer months, chickens shed their feathers in a process called molting so that they have a coat of fresh feathers for the winter. During this time, chickens stop laying eggs so that they can build up their nutrient reserves, so egg-spect an absence of eggs at market towards the end of summer!

Huckleberry Fred’s Creamery on the other hand is one of five certified goat dairies in the state. These goats aren’t just producers of delicious milk and cheeses-- each goat is named after a famous Country musician. So next time you come to market, stop by Huckleberry Fred’s Creamery and ask about some of our market’s famous goat musicians like Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Charley Pride!

Picks of the Week:

Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Bonus Bucks

Each year, the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) - a USDA-funded program administered by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry - provides voucher coupons to hundreds of senior citizens, as well as mothers participating in WIC, to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables with certified local vendors at area farmers markets. This year, thanks to the support of generous donors, Market Umbrella is able to offer bonus bucks to shoppers who present their FMNP booklets at the Welcome Tent of any Crescent City Farmers Market location. Support from fairlife allows senior shoppers to round their $24 worth of vouchers up to $30 and receive $6 in cash-value tokens. Support from Cox allows WIC mothers to match their $24 in vouchers dollar-for-dollar for an extra $24 of cash-value tokens. Bonus tokens can be redeemed for any items at market - including dairy and protein!

Buttermilk

Don’t be fooled by the name-- Buttermilk isn’t actually as sweet and creamy as the name suggests. This sour and tart ingredient prized in most Southern recipes is the byproduct of churning fresh cream or milk into butter! Nowadays many farms make buttermilk by adding cultures to fresh milk causing it to ferment and sour, similar to yogurt. Buttermilk is an essential ingredient in many old-time Southern recipes, like Buttermilk Icebox Pies, Buttermilk-Brined Southern Fried Chicken, and Cornbread! So why do we use buttermilk in some of these coveted dishes versus the traditional whole milk? Buttermilk contains acids which react with the soda or baking soda and release carbon dioxide, giving sweet treats like Buttermilk Biscuits their flaky texture. Head over to T&R Dairy, stock your fridge with buttermilk, and get cookin’!

Go Gold with Cheesecake

This week we are celebrating National Cheesecake Day on July 30th! This smooth and delicious dessert is a classic, and its creamy thick texture is in part due to the soft cheese that is used as the signature ingredient. Dating back to ancient Greece, cheesecake has been around for thousands of years. It is even rumored that cheesecake was eaten by the athletes of the first Olympic games in 776 B.C. A mixture of sugar, eggs, and other ingredients are combined with soft cheese, usually cream cheese, to form a batter that is then poured over a crust and baked. Cheesecakes come in an endless variety of flavors and are typically topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream. So whether you are an Olympic athlete or a spectator watching the games at home, we invite you to celebrate this classic dessert by picking up a cheesecake from one of our market vendors. Huckleberry Fred’s Creamery and Fletcher’s Pastries are offering up this velvety magic treat that is sure to hit the spot.

Vendor of the Week:

Huckleberry Fred’s Creamery

Hey, who cut the cheese? This joke is a longtime favorite of this week's vendor, Huckleberry Fred's Creamery. They are a dairy goat farm located just over an hour north of New Orleans in Franklinton, Louisiana. Couple Chris and Tiffany had the idea about two years ago, inspired by their cute pet goats (pictured above). Today Fred’s is run by the two and their in-laws, Tanna and Fred. Tiffany handles the cheese while Tanna is the mastermind behind their famous cheesecake, sold by the slice at almost every market. It doesn’t stop there--along with a variety of savory and sweet cheese spreads the booth boasts milled grains like grits, chicken eggs, dog treats, soap bars, and of course good old-fashioned goat’s milk. For those who are lactose-intolerant, goat’s milk is a great alternative as it contains less lactose, smaller fat globules, and lower levels of protein alpha-S1-casein (a key player in our gut intolerance). Keep an eye out for fudge and kiefer, upcoming products that are still in the works, and please honor National Cheesecake Day by snagging a slice on your way out of market.

Recipes of the Week:

Chocolate Buttermilk Icebox Pie

This recipe is too easy and too decadent to pass up! Seven ingredients is all you need to take your post-dinner treat or mid-afternoon tea to the next level. The best part is you’ll be able to beat the heat as this is a chilly dessert pie, keeping well in the fridge. Ms. Mary over at T&R Dairy carries buttermilk, making this recipe an easy addition to your week’s groceries.

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!