What We Learned From Our Community Survey | January 23, 2023

Fresh & Local:

What We Learned From Our Community Survey

Last fall, we conducted a community survey to learn more about greater New Orleans residents’ shopping behavior, opinions, and satisfaction with the Crescent City Farmers Market. The feedback we received helps us make important decisions about our markets and programs!

One of the most exciting things we learned about our market community is that over 55% of respondents began shopping at CCFM within the past 5 years, while one out of three shoppers has been with us for longer! Knowing this, we are making concerted efforts to both build our relationships with newer market-goers and deepen our connections with longtime shoppers. This looks like increasing awareness of our programs, providing more nutritional education, and taking to heart all feedback we receive.

As we work to cultivate a marketplace that is reflective of New Orleans and welcoming to all, we rely on community input. Thank you to everyone who weighed in on our 2022 CCFM Community Survey! Going forward, expect more opportunities to share your opinion as we continue to make data-informed, community-minded decisions.

Picks of the Week:

Don’t Miss a Beet: New Merch at Market!

Swing by any market Welcome Tent to pick up some new Crescent City Farmers Market merch! Hands getting full at market? Our reusable tote bags are back! We also have new Rain or Shine umbrellas, veggie bandanas, and token gift pouches. While supplies last, our ‘The Broc is Hot’ and ‘Don’t Miss a Beet’ shirts are 50% off! Sporting our gear helps spread the word about CCFM, and your purchase helps sustain our markets. Check out our merch next time you’re at market!

Egg-cellent Time to Shop at CCFM!

Now more than ever, we are shopping for eggs at market! It’s so important to support the local egg vendors at CCFM, especially with everything happening to chickens and supply chains across the world! Plus, locally-produced eggs are more nutrient-dense, come from happier chickens, and involve less pollution than most mass-produced eggs! Did you know that eggs you can buy at market are currently cheaper than the closest-quality eggs available at supermarkets like Winn-Dixie or Rouse's? Swing by market Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday to get the freshest, best-for-you eggs money can buy.

Join the Market Mommas Club!

Enrollment for Market Mommas Club is still open! Thanks to the generous support of LA HealthCare Connections, Market Mommas Club connects breastfeeding moms with breastfeeding support groups and offers $60 in incentives for up to 6 months to spend at the market!

To join the club, you must be eligible for Medicaid and/or WIC; pregnant and planning to or already breastfeeding babies up to six months old; and attend one breastfeeding support group per month with our program partners. If you are a new mom or a previous MMC participant that is newly pregnant or breastfeeding, please complete the 2023 Registration Form.

If you have any questions, please send an email to mmc@marketumbrella.org! See you at market!

Vendor of the Week:

Louisiana Gourmet Produce

Tony Accardo, the self-proclaimed Jimi Hendrix of farming, will be back at market through the spring and summer! Tony Accardo comes from a long line of farmers in Grand Point, Louisiana, representing Louisiana Gourmet Produce. The Accardos farm on the rich, well-draining soil only found in St. James Parish, where the robust, fruity perique tobacco is famously grown. Louisiana Gourmet Produce specializes in heirloom varieties of tomatoes, hot peppers, root vegetables, and more. We look forward to Tony Accardo returning to CCFM with his unique, highly-sought-after produce! While they may not be at market every week, we’ll let you know when he is; check our market posts on Instagram and Facebook and the weekly vendor lineup on our website.

Recipe of the Week:

Perfect Strawberry Smoothie

It’s strawberry season! We’ve been eating them nonstop–it’s time to drink them, too! Take full advantage of strawberries’ tartness and sweetness by putting them in a delicious smoothie. We use dairy from market–either cow or goat milk works amazingly in this recipe from the Recipe Rebel. There are so many ways to customize this smoothie recipe: you can add protein powder, flax seeds, other fruits, and more. Try adding peanut butter or a little cocoa powder to take this smoothie to a dessert-like level! This recipe is best using frozen strawberries–see our recent guide on how to properly freeze those delicious, fresh strawberries you get at market!

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:

Passion Flour Bakery

For this week’s King Cake of the week, we’re taking a look at Passion Flour Bakery’s Blackberry Nutmeg Sweet Cream King Cake. Jade and Ryder make this delicious cake with orange blossom brioche dough and stuff it with blackberry compote as well as spices and whipped sweet cream. This king cake is sweet, a little tart, and cinnamon-spicy all at the same time. We can’t get enough! Get to market early to try a slice of this cake or Passion Flour’s other delicious flavors—spoiler alert: Passion Fruit Honey Sweet Cream King Cake is one of their newest! Love their creations so much you want a whole king cake? You can preorder at market or via their website for pick up at the following week’s Thursday Mid-City Market. To view all King Cakes available at market, check out CCFM’s 2023 King Cake Guide!