Happy Carrot Day! | April 4, 2022

Fresh & Local:

Happy Carrot Day!

This time of year brings lovely temperate weather, beautiful markets and with it the end of winter crops. At markets we’re seeing last flushes of broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts, and the first of the spring alliums like fresh onions and green garlic. Carrots are celebrated today - International Carrot Day - and other spring favorites pop up in April holiday traditions.

Eggs, a symbol of spring, feature prominently this month in festive fare, whether they’re hard boiled in Easter and Seder meals, or providing protein-packed breakfasts before the fasting of Ramadan. Everyone’s got their secret to hard boiling eggs so that they peel more easily. One tried and true is that older eggs peel easier - so now’s the time to stock up! Beets, red cabbage, turmeric, and onions are all readily available at market now and are not only delicious but make vibrant natural food coloring that can be used to color eggs or frosting for festive confections. Pro tip: if you’re making your own dyes, unlike store-bought, homemade colors turn out better if eggs soak for several hours, even overnight.

Please note: This Sunday April 10th, we’ll be back at our usual spot at the Tad Gormley Stadium parking lot at Marconi @ Navarre, and the Sunday after we’ll be closed so our vendors can enjoy holiday time with family and friends.

Picks of the Week:

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access for Market Vendors Training

Join us on April 11th from 4-5:30pm for the next free training in our spring vendor technical assistance series, “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access for Market Vendors”. In this training learn about how you as a local business owner can step into DEIA work to not only make your business more equitable, but contribute to our community's greater good and wellbeing. Recommended to attend: Farmers market vendors, other small food or direct-to-consumer retail businesses, and market or small business support organizations. Sessions are free - please RSVP here.

As part of Market Umbrella's ongoing commitment to support equity and racial justice in our community, our organization began a Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) Planning process at the end of 2021. We are examining our work both internally and externally, with the goal of ensuring that we are living out our mission and that our markets and programs truly reflect the community we serve, and this training is a part of that process.

Those Crazy Carrots!

What other vegetable can you find in a rainbow of colors including purple, yellow, red, orange, & white? Carrots are affordable and have a long shelf life. Tasty in sweet and savory dishes, they can be used in salad, sauces, juices, cakes and breads. Not to mention, carrots are exceedingly beneficial for our health, protecting your eyes and preventing chronic disease. With carrots, the options are just endless!

Celebrate the versatility of the carrot this week, by stopping at one of this week's markets and grabbing your bunch!

Don't forget to double your dollars with Market Match - every SNAP dollar spent at market is matched with an additional dollar for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables, up to $60 per visit.

Spread the word!!

Market Umbrella is currently accepting applications for an Administrative & Communications Manager. This position is a full-time role responsible for assisting in the daily business operations of Market Umbrella. This position provides development and communications support for the organization, and manages our social media and the Market Morsel! To learn more and apply, visit here.

Plant Sale Sunday April 10th

On April 10th, Long Days Plant Sale will host over eight local nurseries (including CCFM vendors Too Tall Farm, Hot Plants, VEGGI Co-op, and Nightshade Flower Farm) from 4-7 pm at 800 Homer Plessy Way. Grab a drink from Crush Wine and some Vietnamese bites from Viet Cooking Nola while you shop for spring flowers, herbs, and vegetable starts.

Vendor of the Week:

Honest Foods Co.

Smaller batches mean better bread baked with quality ingredients (and lots of love). Irinia K., founder of Honest Foods Company, believes bread is the soul of every meal and it shows in her breads and scones. What started out as a small hobby baking bread for her son has turned into a full fledged business with a growing following at the Tuesday Uptown and Sunday City Park Markets. Originally from Ukraine and Belarus, Irina and Vlad came to the U.S. when they were just teenagers. With family and friends still in Ukraine, Honest is currently donating their net proceeds to aid groups to support their community back home. Check out their Instagram for upcoming fundraising events and ways you can support them as they navigate this challenging time. And don’t forget to head over to their booth and buy a loaf Jewish rye or challah to up your holiday table offerings and show them support!

Recipe of the Week:

Chef Chris Lynch’s Chicken Pot Pie

Market Umbrella and BIA (Broadmoor Improvement Association) have joined together with local chefs to create a four part cooking series, How Do You Cook Dat?^*. This series highlights seasonal produce that can be found not only at the Crescent City Farmers Market, but also at BIA’s food pantry and community garden. Whether you are new to cooking or a culinary aficionado, these videos are simple and easy to follow along.

Chris Lynch, Executive Chef of Atchafalaya continues the series with a robust, easy to assemble dish that is comforting. Check out this sneak peek of Chef Chris's veggie-filled, seasonal Chicken Pot Pie.

The full video will be released on Saturday, April 9, on social media and the MU website. Follow us on Instagram to catch How do you Cook Dat: Chicken Pot Pie!

*Supported by Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services

What’s your favorite dish to make after visiting the Crescent City Farmers Market? Share your recipes with us on Instagram or Facebook and it might be featured in our weekly newsletter!