NEW ORLEANS — Market Umbrella, operator of the Crescent City Farmers Market, is hosting its second annual Moonlight Market fundraiser on Saturday, October 10, 2015, at 725 Magazine St., at 7:00 p.m., marking the 20th anniversary of the Crescent City Farmers Market (CCFM).
For 20 years, local farmers and start-up food businesses have gathered on Saturday mornings at the corner of Magazine and Girod Streets to engage in direct commerce with local residents. Since its inception in 1995, CCFM has grown to include four weekly markets in Uptown (Tuesday), the French Quarter (Wednesday), Mid-City (Thursday) and the Central Business District (Saturday).
The market now supports more than 75 small businesses, and has increased direct access to fresh, local produce for more than 100,000 New Orleanians annually.
In addition to celebrating 20 years in service for CCFM, the fundraiser will also honor the legacy of W. Boatner Reily, III. Reily helped to make the vision of co-founders Richard McCarthy, Sharon Litwin and John Abajian a reality by allowing them to use his Reily Foods Company parking lot on a handshake deal in 1995.
“Thanks to the vision of Boatner Reily, III, the mural lined Reily Foods Company parking lot at the corner of Magazine and Girod streets is home to the Saturday market for CCFM, where some of the region’s finest local producers sell directly to New Orleanians seeking quality food,” Kathryn Parker, executive director of Market Umbrella/ The Crescent City Farmers Market, said.
From garden-to-glass cocktails to local beers, a silent auction and live music by King James & the Special Men, the Moonlight Market will also feature 20 of New Orleans' finest restaurants and bars.
Guests at the fundraiser can expect to enjoy servings from a variety of local favorites including Commander’s Palace, Emeril’s, Clancy’s, Boucherie, La Petite Grocery and Angeline.
All-inclusive tickets cost $45 until Thursday, October 8, and will cost $60 thereafter.
