Black History Month is Here! | January 31, 2022

Fresh & Local:

Black History Month is Here!

February is Black History Month, and throughout the coming month we will be highlighting in the Market Morsel and on social media the contributions of Black CCFM farmers and vendors, sharing profiles of Black New Orleans chefs and some of their favorite market-ready recipes, and offering you recommended reading lists on a variety of topics like historical perspectives on Black people’s work in the food system and cookbooks written by Black authors. Additionally, we want to take you on a deeper dive on topics like the implications of racism on public health, the connection between food systems and the over incarceration of Black people, and the systemic injustices that have resulted in Black land theft. Whether it began many years ago or is being made today, all of these topics constitute and contribute to history, and we look forward to celebrating Black History Month with you.

We feel it is important to recognize, celebrate and support the Black farmers and food producers of CCFM. Almost a century ago, Black farmers made up 14% of America’s farmers. Today, they account for less than 2%. Historically, Black farmers have been denied rights to access land, to resources, and to fair markets in which to sell their products. In 1999, class action lawsuit Pigford v Glickman acknowledged systematic, discriminatory practices used by the USDA against Black farmers and they were ordered to pay out over $1 billion to African-American farmers; making it the largest civil rights settlement in history. Sadly, there continue to be obstacles in the way of progress; the USDA’s Black Farmer Loan Forgiveness program, which would have meant $5 billion in debt relief and other assistance for farmers of color as part of President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, was stymied in a legal battle with White farmers who sued claiming the program was discriminatory. A revised version, included in the Build Back Better legislation package currently being debated in congress, would exclude 15% of farmers of color that the earlier version would have helped because it would relieve debt only for farmers who have loans directly through FSA, excluding farmers with outstanding private loans that had been guaranteed by the agency.

The Crescent City Farmers Market is proud to support over 35 Black-owned food businesses. We encourage you to use your dollars to do the same at market this month, and every month.

Picks of the Week:

Welcome to the Year of the Tiger!

Tết Fest is near - the Vietnamese New Year Festival, is an annual winter event celebrating the lunar new year. This year’s Tết Fest is set for February 4-6 at the Mary Queen of Vietnam Church in New Orleans East. Attendees can enjoy traditional Vietnamese food like phở and bánh mì, as well as live music performances, traditional dances like the múa lân, a lion dance that is meant to scare away evil spirits, and beautiful fireworks displays. Tết Fest is a family-friendly event that is free and open to all. Gather your friends and family and go celebrate this weekend.

Tết Fest 2022 Schedule
Friday, February 4, 6pm to 11pm
Saturday, February 5, 10am – 11pm
Sunday, February 6, 10am – 10pm

New Video Series: How Do You Cook Dat?

Market Umbrella and BIA (Broadmoor Improvement Association) have joined together with local chefs to create a four part cooking series called How Do You Cook Dat?^*. This series will highlight 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.

Maya Mastersson, Executive Chef and Founder of Black Roux Culinary Collective kicks off the series with a tender, juicy dish that is great for families. Check out this sneak peek of Chef Maya’s, rich with flavor, Garlic-Stuffed Chuck Roast.

The full video will be released on Friday, February 4. View this video and more on our Crescent City Farmers Market YouTube channel. Give us a like and subscribe to our channel so you don't miss out on How Do You Cook Dat?

*Supported by Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services

Vendor of the Week:

VEGGI Co-Op

Dating back to 2011, VEGGI Co-Op has proudly served as the bridge between the New Orleans East Vietnamese community and the markets in the city. As a result of the 2010 BP oil spill, many fisher folks and shrimpers, who were predominantly Vietnamese, were left without work. Out of this period of adversity, VEGGI Farmers Cooperative was developed with the mission of empowering growers in the Greater New Orleans area and creating sustainable, high quality jobs through increasing local food access and promotion of sustainable, urban agriculture. Since then they have been providing sustainable economic opportunities in urban agriculture for the Vietnamese New Orleans East community and bringing you the best quality, local produce and products. Most famously known for their freshly made and locally processed organic tofu, you’ll also find a rich array of delicious products at their table including the freshest in season produce and herbs, chili oil, seed bars, and loofahs. There is something for everyone at the VEGGI Co-Op table!

For additional information about VEGGI Co-Op, their history, and their CSA box visit www.veggifarmcoop.com

Recipes of the Week:

Thịt Kho Recipe – Vietnamese Braised Pork with Eggs

This Vietnamese thịt kho recipe is a low and slow braise with tender and flavorful pork and hard-boiled eggs. Serve atop a large mound of steamed white rice with a side of pickled mustard greens and you will be starting the lunar new year off right!

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!

King Cake of the Week:

Huckleberry's Creamery Mardi Gras Cheesecake

At each of our markets throughout the week, you will find Huckleberry’s Creamery and their array of goat cheeses, goat milk, eggs, soaps, and now… Mardi Gras Cheesecake! If you’ve tried a slice of Huckleberry’s creamy goat cheese cheesecake, you know you're not going to want to pass up the opportunity to get a whole cheesecake to celebrate this season. Alongside Huckleberry's Mardi Gras Cheesecake, you’ll also notice another new addition to their table - Mardi Gras Soap! Make sure to swing by Huckleberry’s tent to fulfill all of your Mardi Gras needs.