The French Market Corporation and Market Umbrella, a 501c3 nonprofit corporation that says they are devoted to cultivating the field of public markets for public good, will hold a press conference at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 1, at the Farmers Market stage at 1100 N. Peters St., to announce new market vendors, hours and entertainment at the historic six block span where New Orleans locals have been “making groceries” ever since the area was an Indian trading post back in 1791.
The new Crescent City Farmers Market will open on Wednesday, October 15, and offer up fresh produce and seafood for sale and cooking demonstrations every Wednesday between 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
There will be live music presented daily.
At the press event, Market Umbrella will reveal their findings after surveying locals and neighborhood organizations about their market wants and needs, and several farmers, who will be vending at the new weekly market, will also be in attendance.
A performance by the Red Hot Brass Band kicks off the event at 9:45 a.m., followed by guest speakers including Councilmember District C Nadine M. Ramsey, French Market Corporation Executive Director Jon Smith, and Tony Accardo of Louisiana Gourmet Produce, a Crescent City farmers market vendor with family ties to the historic French Market.
There will be a cooking demonstration at 10:30 a.m. presented by Tujague’s executive chef Richard Bickford, and another performance by the band.
In May 2014, The French Market Corporation Board of Directors approved a cooperative endeavor between the FMC and Market Umbrella to create a year-round weekly farmers market featuring local growers and products, data analysis of community needs, census of market visitors, mentorship of current daily Farmers Market operators, as well as a new food incubator program to train local culinary entrepreneurs.
Market Umbrella currently operates three farmers markets throughout New Orleans. Crescent City Farmers Markets was established in 1995.
The French Market Corporation is a public benefits corporation that operates six blocks of property in the lower French Quarter, including the iconic farmers and flea market, open daily.
For more information: www.frenchmarket.org
