The Dog Days of Summer are Here | July 5, 2021

Fresh & Local:

The Dog Days of Summer are Here

If you haven’t noticed yet, summer is upon us and the “dog days” are here. With “feels like” temps reaching the triple digits, make sure you come to market with sunscreen on and a bottle of water. The afternoons are hot, but the peppers are hotter! It’s that special time of year when we say farewell to our beloved leafy greens and the farmers who cultivate them and welcome eggplant, okra, squash and other heat-loving fruits and veggies.

The toasty weather makes now the perfect time to treat yourself to a refreshing ice cold Mississippi blueberry lemonade from J&D Blueberry Farm or a perfectly delicious and refreshing peach lemonade with plenty of peachy pulp from Amanda’s Frozen Fruit. Not only is it the perfect time to enjoy your favorite summer market treats, but the bright Louisiana sun brings some of our favorite produce of the year. You can find sweet watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, peaches and figs, plus, okra, a plethora of sweet and hot peppers, summer squash, creole tomatoes, and tender and toothsome fresh peas and beans. Summer treats and produce available at all CCFM markets and weekly home delivery boxes!

Picks of the Week:

Join our team!

Join the Market Umbrella team and help us build a stronger food system and healthier community! We are looking for an individual that is passionate about food access, nutrition education, and small business development for local food producers. Applications are currently being accepted for Finance Director

Double Your Dollars

Crescent City Farmers Market has received a five-year grant to provide at least $125,000 in Market Match dollars each year. Under Market Match, an individual can bring their EBT card to the market, state how much of their balance they would like to spend, and receive an equal additional amount to use specifically at the market. "I love this program because it helps ensure everybody in our community has a greater chance to access fresh local foods. It's a huge support for our farmers as well," said Cordelia Heaney, executive director of Market Umbrella, which operates the Crescent City Farmers Market. Launched more than a decade ago, Market Match has been benefiting shoppers who use EBT with a reported 80 percent noting this matching opportunity as a primary reason to shop at the farmers market. The current unlimited Market Match has been extended through September 30, 2021. Shoppers can receive unlimited dollar-for-dollar matches to purchase fruits and vegetables. See our Nola.com article to learn more about Market Match.

Welcome Aboard!

Market Umbrella is delighted to welcome three new staff members to the team! Kasey Davis joined last week as the new Director of Programs who will be overseeing all of Market Umbrella’s food access and nutrition education work; Ardice Cotter joined the prior week as the new Administrative Manager who will be coordinating the day-to-day operations of the Market Umbrella office as well as supporting our communication and resource development efforts; and Sierra Torres starts today as the new Market Manager of the Crescent City Farmers Market! Please join us in welcoming them to the market family when you see them out and about at market, and learn more about each of them - and the rest of our staff - here!

Vendor of the Week:

Backwater Foie Gras

Backwater Foie Gras was started in 2019 as a way to return to natural, sustainable, pre-industrial farming. They have taken inspiration from friends who moved to LA from France and from 5,000 years of agricultural and culinary tradition. The family farm, run by three generations out in Bush, LA, encourages curious customers to reach out to them online or pay a visit to the property to better understand what it means to humanely raise foie gras. Ross McKnight, the market face of the operation, says that their pasture-raised, artisanal approach to farming the ducks has been a game changer for many doubtful minds and that right now, the focus is “creating something beautiful in cooperation with the natural abilities of these amazing waterfowl.” The dedication and effort that keeps the family together and in business is present in their care for their quality products. Ross can currently be found at our Thursday Mid-City market with foie gras and other duck charcuterie, as well as various frozen cuts of duck.

Recipes of the Week:

Duck Breasts with Peaches and Tarragon

Simple, elegant, and tasty, this meal is a great snapshot of current market items. Coming together in one pot, it makes a good meal for a weeknight dinner or for when you want to impress the neighbors. Grab your peaches from Cherry Creek Orchards or Poché Family Farms, honey from Powers Beekeepers, and of course delicious duck breast from our new friends at Backwater Foie Gras.

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!