Women Leaders in the Local Food System | March 13, 2023

Fresh & Local:

Women Leaders in the Local Food System

This Womens’ History Month, we’re highlighting women leaders working to drive economic and community health through local food and agriculture. In February, Angelina Harrison became the Interim Executive Director of Market Umbrella. Previously serving as Market Umbrella’s Director of Markets, Angelina works closely with local food producers and food-based organizations to cultivate a world-class experience at the Crescent City Farmers Markets as well as increase economic opportunities for food producers.

Angelina Harrison is originally from a small family dairy farm in Wisconsin. She grew up helping her mom can and preserve from the bounty of a kitchen garden and none of her food came out of a box. After graduating with honors from UC Berkeley with a B.S. in environmental science and policy, she went on to work in local government on various climate action plan implementation items including alternative transportation infrastructure, municipal curbside recycling, composting enhancement, and regional solar permitting standardization. She moved to New Orleans in 2011 and immediately got her hands dirty working for Hollygrove Market & Farm where she quickly became the market manager and then, the general manager. She is excited to make the transition from retail to public markets and continue her work building the local food system. Angelina is thrilled to be able to live in this beautiful city and still work with farmers. She enjoys festivals, second lines, and parades with her husband and daughters, and aspires to one day actually grow a tomato during a New Orleans summer.

Picks of the Week:

Market Hours Change for Daylight Savings

This week, the hours of the Thursday Mid-City market return to 3 pm to 7 pm. Last Sunday, our clocks went ahead one hour. Now the days feel longer and the Thursday market’s winter hours have been lifted! Help us spread the word: remind your fellow friends of the CCFM that our Thursday market hours have changed!

2023 Moonlight Market: Save the Date!

Save the Date: April 20th. In celebration of the resiliency of the local food system and the strength of the CCFM community, Market Umbrella (the organization that operates the Crescent City Farmers Market) will host our first fundraising event since the pandemic: Moonlight Market! We invited New Orleans' finest pop-up and restaurant chefs to create one-of-a-kind dishes using fresh, local ingredients – and you get to vote for your favorite dish. This event takes place alongside the Thursday Mid-City market where you’ll find the local food businesses and community partners that make our work possible. Please join us at Moonlight Market on April 20th in support of Market Umbrella’s mission and work to cultivate the power of farmers markets. Click here to save the date.

Greaux the Good welcomes two new partners and launches Market Match programs throughout the state!

Greaux the Good has welcomed two new partners, bringing the current total to nine! These new partner locations include: Shreveport Farmers Market in Shreveport (seasonal) & Stelly’s Organic Farm in Lafayette. Eight of the nine Greaux the Good partner locations have launched their Market Match programs. Visit www.greauxthegoodla.org/partner-locations to find a partner location near you!

Greaux the Good, operated by Market Umbrella, provides funding to support Louisiana farmers and families. The program gives Louisiana farmers markets, farm stands, and other eligible entities the opportunity to create or expand a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) incentive program.

The Greaux the Good Market Match program increases both the number of shoppers at partner locations and the purchasing power of low-income residents, which grows the amount of fresh food consumed in Louisiana. This has the mutual benefit of positively impacting the state's agricultural economy while also helping to increase food security amongst Louisiana families.

We’re Hiring!

Join the Market Umbrella team and help us build a stronger food system and healthier community! We’re in the market for a full-time Vendor Support Manager to help us recruit and support vendors through outreach and direct assistance. We’re also hiring a full-time Administrative Assistant to provide office-wide support for our daily operations, and a part-time Communications Coordinator to manage our public-facing communications including social media, our website, and this newsletter! If you or someone you know is passionate about local agriculture and working with an organization with a focus on food access and nutrition education, click here for more information and to apply!

Vendor of the Week:

Isabel’s Tamales & Produce

Hailing from Independence, Louisiana, Isabel and the Mendez family grow a variety of produce on their farm, ranging from okra in the summertime to broccoli and cauliflower come winter. In addition to her fresh produce, Isabel’s is also famously known for her freshly made tamales (veggie, cheese, jalapeño, and bean), available at Thursday and Sunday markets, and breakfast burritos, available at Tuesday and Sunday market. Isabel’s well-known tamales and burritos are best paired with her homemade tortilla chips and salsas. Treat yourself to something special at Isabel’s Tamales & Produce, found at each of our three weekly markets.

Recipe of the Week:

Sweet Potato Bread

There are so many great ways to enjoy sweet potatoes—grilled, mashed, french fried, candied, and even used to make bread! Sweet potato bread is moist, dense, and sweet, making it an excellent breakfast bread. Filled with warm spices and buttery pecans, this bread pairs well with coffee or tea. Find sweet potatoes and pecans at the Indian Springs Farmers’ Association table at the Tuesday Uptown and Thursday Mid-City markets and enjoy this yummy recipe for meals to come!

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!