Moving Beyond Cancer in NOLA: This Week at the Crescent City Farmers Market

Expanding Diversity at Farmers Markets | April 11, 2022

FRESH & LOCAL:

Expanding Diversity at Farmers Markets

CCFM works to support small local food businesses, increase the number and types of products available for purchase and increase vendor diversity, as well as adapt to a COVID-changed world. As part of our ongoing organizational work on diversity, access, equity and inclusion, we want our markets to more fully represent the New Orleans community they serve. To help accomplish this, we’ve incorporated several new approaches, both policy changes and continued and expanded partnerships, and we think it is important to share those changes with our community in resources like this newsletter.

All CCFM vendors are expected to follow the food safety regulations that apply to their products and that hasn’t changed, but our stated preferences for market vendors have. Previously, the primary requirement for being approved as a value-add or prepared food vendor was to incorporate locally sourced ingredients. Recognizing that local sourcing is often much easier once a vendor is a part of the market, this year we updated those priorities in our Rules and Regulations to include preferences for food products that are culturally significant to New Orleans and Louisiana, products that increase the culinary diversity represented in the market, and for applications that increase vendor diversity at our markets.

Continued and expanded partnerships is another way we are working to ensure markets are aligned with the needs of more local food businesses. Our partnership with the SPROUT Truck Farm table at the Thursday market also helps very small businesses gain access to the market, and SPROUT is able to offer tailored assistance for new food businesses with a particular emphasis on supporting BIPOC and woman-owned businesses whose owners are often navigating occupational licensing, Cottage Food Law and access to commissary kitchens. We have many new vendors in the pipeline, and look forward to welcoming them to markets!

pick of the week

PICKS OF THE WEEK:

Sunday City Park Market is closed for Easter 4/17

There will be no Sunday Market this week, April 17th to give our vendors an opportunity to spend the day with family and friends. We will see you next week on April 24th at the Tad Gormley Stadium Parking lot for another beautiful spring market!

Market Match Q & A

What is Market Match?

A food access program that provides additional funds for SNAP shoppers to purchase fruits and vegetables at CCFM markets and through our partners. When a customer uses their SNAP benefits at the Crescent City Farmers Market, they receive CCFM tokens to spend on SNAP eligible items at the market. The SNAP dollars spent are matched up to $60 in additional tokens that can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables.

Who can participate in Market Match?

Customers with SNAP benefits are eligible to participate in Market Match. If you are eligible to receive SNAP or think you may be eligible, you can contact our partners at FPAC (Food Policy Action Council) for assistance in applying for the program.

What can I purchase with Market Match and SNAP?

With Market Match tokens, you can purchase fruits and vegetables
With SNAP tokens you can purchase SNAP eligible items (fruits,vegetables,dairy products, grains, protein, plant seeds and food bearing plant starts). At CCFM markets, this means SNAP tokens can be spent on almost everything except cut flowers and hot food.

How do I use Market Match?

Stop by one of the three weekly locations of the Crescent City Farmers Market
Visit the Welcome Tent
Swipe your EBT card, get tokens for both SNAP and Market Match
Spend your SNAP tokens on SNAP eligible items and Market Match tokens on fruits and vegetables

How does Market Match support vendors?

Market Match increases the spending power of customers and attracts new customers to the market all of which increases sales to the local farmers that sell at the CCFM.

pick of the week

Veggie Bingo + Drag Show on April 13th

For tickets and more info, check out the event here!

vendor of the week

VENDOR OF THE WEEK:

Micro Pharms

Business owner and entrepreneurial mastermind, Christopher Pham founded Micro Pharms back in 2020 when he started growing microgreens in his apartment. Why microgreens? It’s simple– Chris just wanted to develop a healthier lifestyle for himself. When the pandemic hit and many of his restaurant clients stopped taking orders, Chris had to think of a new way to repurpose his microgreens, so he started developing value added products like micro-kimchi, chili oils, and dried spice and seasoning blends like his Asian Chicken Cajun Fry Mix (also great with fried vegetables!). Chris’s main goal with his value added products is to uplift his Asian culture and heritage while bringing a fun and playful energy to his brand. You might have even noticed Gazpacho, the red microgreen mascot that accompanies all of Chris’ packaging and labels. In the coming months, Chris is looking forward to expanding his offerings to frozen prepared foods like dumplings. Check out Micro Pharms at the Thursday Mid-City Market or the Sunday City Park Market!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK:

Roasted Flavor Bombs: Kale Chips

This week stop at the market and pick up some kale to try our roasted flavor bomb kale chips! This recipe is quick, easy, nutritious, and a tasty way to curb the extra calories when boredom strikes. Practically any green can be used as a substitute in this recipe - beet greens, collards, mustards, or even Brussels sprouts. For more tender leaves like chard, reduce cook time. If you try this recipe, show and tag us on Instagram!

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!