Farmers Market Minute

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The Future is Food Dec 29, 2012

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About a decade ago, I was visiting a particularly beautiful part of Kentucky to help a community grow its farmers market. Dinner involved farm-fresh items on a comfortably rustic ranch, and thoughtful dinner discussion was led by original and influential author Wendell Berry. The thrust of his talk was the future. With New Year’s Eve approaching, I’ve been thinking about Berry’s comments. He described how he keeps hearing that future will be about technology or information or some other shiny concept. He argued that this was rubbish. The future, instead, will be shaped by the very things that shape all eras: stable access to food, shelter and happiness beneath the roofs of those shelters. I think he’s right. For me, I find happiness at farmers markets, right next to the food. Happy New Year!

Johnnie A. Clark, Jr. Dec 22, 2012

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I recently learned that Johnnie A. Clark, Jr . had died in his sleep at 90 years of age. For longtime farmers market shoppers, you may recall the retired postman turned farmer, who held court on Saturday mornings among his offerings of cut carrots and greens. A real gentleman, Mr. Clark could also be fire and brimstone when issues of social justice and dignity for ordinary people are at stake. Unfortunately, Katrina ended his farmers market presence, but his legacy is worth emulating: He retired from the post office while in his 60s , and when some retirees slow down, he sped up. He worked diligently to establish a farmers’ cooperative in his childhood community of Baygall on the North Shore. I admire how Johnnie Clark deployed the wisdom of age to address perennial challenges.

Chanukah Dec 15, 2012

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As the Jewish community approaches the final nights of Chanukah, I am reminded of a recent conversation I had with Domenica’s Alon Shaya . Of course, his interpretation of traditional Jewish holiday meals is now legendary. The Israeli-born Alon was browsing market stalls for root crops. He described to me how he had recently catered a kosher wedding, and then stepped forward to say, “The way I see it, Kosher is not only among the original health codes (pre-dating our Health Department by a few thousand years) but it’s also a code for sustainability.” Here’s a chef who is at the same time preparing food and considering the meaning of that preparation. He added, “The value of not mixing animals for slaughter with animals for milk speaks to logic and long-term planning." Aren’t these ideas we should consider this holiday season?

Floral Wreaths Dec 08, 2012

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Folsom flower farmer Shirley Randon battles the elements each week to harvest and assemble gorgeous nose gays and full-on bouquets of flowers. Knowledge of these challenges makes me appreciate her delicate, hand-crafted, dried floral holiday wreaths. Have you seen them? Whereas contemporary wreaths feature vivid synthetic colors, Shirley’s are beautifully faded by the sun. These are colors we rarely see any more in commerce. Imagine a ring of dried cosmos, bachelor's buttons, sunflowers and more. I asked her, “How long do they take to manufacture?” She paused and then said, “If you were to include the time to plant and harvest the flowers… a year.” Here’s another reason why farmers market matter: They preserve the patient and detailed crafts of old that are being left behind in this “lighter, quicker, cheaper” age.

Thursdays Are Different Dec 01, 2012

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I spent this past Thursday afternoon zipping from one farmers market to the other. Whereas Saturday markets are altogether larger gatherings with greater choice, our city’s Thursday evening markets offer some surprises. In Mid City at American Can, I was thrilled to find Brussels sprouts on offer: Beautiful, robust Brussels sprouts so fresh I ate a few raw while on site. And then there’s the Marketplace at Armstrong Park that operates alongside Jazz in the Park. There, I found double-yolk eggs. Can you remember the last time you cooked with double-yolk eggs? This unusual find comes in from an old time Tangipahoa Parish farmer. So while the Saturday markets may sail like the region’s flagships, the smaller Thursday markets offer some items not seen elsewhere.

Shop Small Nov 24, 2012

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Nestled between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is Small Business Saturday. Originally started by American Express, this national day to shop small and locally fits so nicely with farmers markets. After all, you can’t get much smaller than the family who farms and sells their products directly. If you’re like most Thanksgiving survivors, today you’re not necessarily dreaming of your next big meal. Instead, the theme is eat light. However, while you’re sifting through leftovers and holiday shopping lists, I encourage you to visit farmers markets, art markets, and any other do-it-yourself retailer who operates beneath a tent or umbrella. After all, when you spend locally, the gift of wealth to the local economy keeps on giving. So, to this end: consider canning your own marmalade, baking stollen or roasting and seasoning pecans — each featuring local products.

Sandy Nov 17, 2012

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If you’re storm damaged like me, you get drawn into every radio interview you hear about Hurricane Sandy: The disbelief, the frustration, and the delays. In every instance, I think to myself: “This sounds oh, so familiar.” Also familiar is what I’m hearing from farmers market organizers in New York. Fishing families were hammered hard; farmers less so. It has also been gratifying to learn that some of Manhattan’s hard edges are softening. Trauma is heeding to people’s need for gentleness. In response, greenmarket organizers have been serving up hot food. Free samples in New York City! These are unusual times. Thank heavens market organizers recognized their role to deliver a little TLC to storm-weary shoppers. I think back to the tears and hugs at my first market after the 2005 hurricane season here in New Orleans. Talk about an early Thanksgiving.

Fragility Of Citrus Oct 27, 2012

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In late October, there are many reasons for which to be grateful. Among them, there is the arrival of Louisiana satsumas. This year, their arrival is bittersweet. By this, I am not referring to their taste. If anything, this might be the sweetest October crop I can remember. However, there will be far fewer Louisiana citrus products on offer at markets, roadside stands and stores than in previous years. Yes, Isaac did a number on our Plaquemines Parish citrus farmers. What might this mean for the future? Will they replant? Can farmers acquire the financing for their businesses? To rebuild homes? When you unpeel your next Satsuma, look at it carefully. Consider the fragility of our food system. Changes are here... and some of them are bittersweet.

Farmers Market Minute: Turkish Advice Oct 13, 2012

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With cold weather approaching, are you taking care of your skin? Farmers market vendors are always talking about healthy skin. After all, they are always outdoors. Recently, I was spellbound whilst listening to celebrated Turkish cook and Covington Farmers Market vendor Nur Pendaz. In conversation with a young mother, she described how important it is to moisturize ones face with “ghee.” I have to admit: I didn’t see this coming. If you’re not familiar with ghee, it's clarified butter used widely in Indian and Turkish cuisine, and it also fits into Nur’s skincare philosophy: Don’t put ointments on your skin that you wouldn’t eat. And me? I can eat a lot of ghee. I have come to rely on Nur’s ghee for my kitchen. Apparently it also belongs on the vanity stand. For WWNO, this is Richard McCarthy.

Sankofa’s new home Jul 28, 2012

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You know, one of the benefits of open-air farmers markets is their flexibility and mobility. By contrast, brick and mortar retail is land-locked, and thus unable to respond to changes in neighborhoods. Farmers markets are nimble. They can pack up and relocate to sunnier spots. One market that has tested this theory of itinerant living is the Ninth Wards Sankofa Farmers Market. It began life in 2007 as a monthly free-for-all market in Lower Nine. In 2010, it reinvented itself as a weekly farmers market. In 2011, it moved upriver to Holy Angels on St. Claude. And this summer, it has finally found its home at the Arise Academy, located at St. Claude Avenue and Alvar Street. I encourage you to check out Sankofas new home and taste how change does one good. For the WWNO Farmers Market Minute, this is Richard McCarthy.

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