The alarm sounds @ 5:30 am! I smell coffee and that helps a little. A cup of coffee later consciousness begins and I realize it’s time for a shower. By 7:30 we’re pulling out of the driveway heading for a farmers market — today is Saturday!
No matter where we are, we look for a Farmers Market to shop. Most frequently we are in the Baton Rouge, LA area and the Red Stick Farmers Market is our shopping experience. Our purchases from a typical farmers market makes up the majority of our weekly groceries.
Grab your basket and let’s go shopping!
Bright reds, greens, yellows and everything in between met us on our last Saturday foray to the Red Stick Farmers Market. The abundance of fresh vegetables means that summer is here and the vegetables seem to have exploded from the farms in our area. It is sometimes difficult to decide which vegetables to purchase; they were all calling to us.
One of our purchases from Fekete Farm was an heirloom cantaloupe, does not look pretty, yet we were told it is great tasting. We are anxious to chill it and enjoy the taste.
Shrimp, 9-12 count, from the Anna Marie found a place in our basket. We have been thinking about those big babies since we purchased them. There will definitely be a blog post with the recipe as soon as we decide how we will cook them.
Forte Grove bread is always on our list of needs. Today we purchased Rosemary Lemon and Sundried Tomato & Garlic Breads. The Rosemary Lemon Bread was purchased especially for smoked salmon. In fact, for lunch today we had smoked salmon, dill sauce, fresh tomato, marinated artichoke on Lemon Rosemary Bread. Fantastic sandwich !!
At Chenier Farm, another favorite of ours, we found Creole red onions and honeydew melon.
We rounded out our purchases with stuffed crabs, fresh tomatoes, a basket of assorted peppers, yellow bell peppers, eggs, and young kale. It was difficult to not purchase
one of everything. The market is year round yet summer offers so much freshness with a rainbow of colors.
The Red Stick Farmers Market in Baton Rouge, LA is a producer-only market and creates relationships between farmers and shoppers. The Saturday morning market in downtown Baton Rouge brings shoppers of all levels – chefs, cooks, foodies, vendors, and sightseers. The market encourages shopping locally and enjoying the fruits of south Louisiana.
There is more to the market than shopping; it is also a socializing opportunity. The farmers market is on 5th street just outside the Main Street Market. 5th Street is closed between Main and Laurel for the shopping pleasure of all customers and vendors. The Main Street Market offers more vendors as well as prepared food. There are three
areas with tables and chairs so you can shop the market, buy breakfast and enjoy your food without leaving the market area. The Main Street Market is indoors and air-conditioned, a huge advantage during south Louisiana summers. Children are also able to enjoy the market by shopping with the adults and also by participating in the children’s activities in the Main Street Market. At a recent market the children enjoyed having their faces painted.
Entertainment is offered for enjoyment most Saturdays both in the Main Street Market and outside at the Red Stick Market. The Lagniappe Dulcimer Society plays in the Main Street Market most Saturdays. At the opposite end of the Main Street Market from the entertainment, cooking demonstrations are offered. Outside, the Red Stick Market has varied music groups; recently Zydeco Man Mel Chavis entertained.
On the first Saturday’s, The Baton Rouge Art Market is next to the Farmers Market. The art market offers a wide range of local, handmade items. Also on the first Saturday, the East Baton Rouge Master Gardeners are available to discuss whatever planting issues you may have.
The market began in November 1996 under the sponsorship of BREADA (Big River Economic and Agricultural Development Alliance) whose mission is “to build a healthy and strong local food system; to increase sustainability of independent local farmers, fishers and food producers; and to foster stewardship of land and community through public markets”.
We are pretty sure they’re succeeding.
