Best Farmers Markets in New Orleans

Best Farmers Markets in New Orleans

I don’t know about other New Orleans moms, but I know that there is one GIANT thorn in my side (and pocketbook) that I am about to address: grocery shopping. Is it me, or are supermarkets in the New Orleans area crazy expensive? Each month, I find myself tallying up grocery expenses and literally gasping out loud when I see how much money gets spent at the supermarket. While I have read all the advice on sticking to a budget, it can be hard in New Orleans to keep grocery expenses down. I sometimes wonder if it’s because we live in a food-centric city and culture; we all know that in New Orleans and South Louisiana, we don’t eat to live, we LIVE TO EAT.

Image Courtesy GCFM

While a lot of moms do enjoy shopping at Costco and Trader Joe’s, that isn’t always practical or economical. Several years ago I decided that in order for me to get fresh fruits, veggies, meats and seafood in New Orleans, I have to think outside the grocery store box. Enter the New Orleans Farmers Markets! This is absolutely one of my favorite New Orleans mom hacks; we have incredible farmers in Louisiana and it is an honor to support them. My personal favorite farmers market is located in St. Charles Parish where I happen to live, but the good news is that there are several farmers markets in New Orleans to choose from and visit.

German Coast Farmers Market in New Orleans {River Parishes}

Since 2003, the German Coast Farmer’s Market has been part of the landscape of the River Parishes, offering local farmers and other vendors the opportunity to reach the public directly with the freshest produce and handmade products. Since its inception, the market has expanded to also include a weekly Wednesday market on the West Bank in St. Charles Parish. In both 2010 and 2011, it was bestowed the honor of Louisiana’s Favorite Farmer’s Market and boasts a list of over 25 vendors that sell everything from fresh veggies to handmade all natural soap, pretty much ensuring that you can stock up on a wide range of items as if you were in your local big box store!

German Coast Farmers Market in New Orleans :: Locations

Saturday Market {St. Charles Parish East Regional Library} – 160 West Campus Drive | Destrehan, LA 70047 | 8:00am – 12 Noon

Wednesday Market {St. Charles Parish West Bank Bridge Park} – 13825 River Road | Luling, LA 70070 | 1:00pm – 6:00pm

What to Expect at German Coast Farmers Market

On the particular day that my mother and I went to the market, I brought $20 cash with me. I wound up getting a huge head of Romanesco (which is a cross between cauliflower and broccoli), some fresh baby bok choy, large green onions, carrots, a head of cabbage (for New Years!), Swiss Chard, parsley, cilantro and satsumas. I spent less than $15 on all of that produce, which was fresh, organic and straight from the farmers. I also stocked up on some last minute Christmas gifts like handmade soaps and candles from some very talented local artisans. Had my freezer not been full of protein already, I could have also stocked up on fresh local meat and seafood as well. While you are shopping, also be prepared to be entertained. The market is very family and pet friendly with lots of events for both your little ones and furry family throughout the year like live music, cooking demonstrations (with tastings!), pet parades, costume contests, and even their own Kid’s Krewe du Market Mardi Gras Parade. The best part is that the shopping experience is delightful. The vendors are incredibly friendly and helpful, the service is impeccable, and the prices can’t be beat. I felt great knowing that I was keeping it local and getting the best that our region has to offer.

If you are curious about what vendors and/or items will be at the German Coast Farmer’s Market each week, I encourage you to like their page on Facebook where weekly announcements, listings of foods available, events and even recipes are posted regularly. The German Coast Farmer’s Market website also offers information listings on their regular vendors, recipes, their schedule and information on their “seedling cards.” Also, for the best selection, arrive early! Note :: Please visit the German Coast Farmers’ Market Welcome Booth to use an EBT card at the market.

Crescent City Farmers Market in New Orleans 

The Crescent City Farmers Market has several locations to choose from within New Orleans. New Orleans moms can visit the market on Tuesdays uptown, on Thursdays in mid-city New Orleans and on Sundays in City Park. SNAP is accepted at all of the Crescent City market locations, and you can even order online in advance for the City Park location. The website is well-maintained and updated, so it is easy to hop on, get updated hours and vendor information. CCFM also offers a home delivery box, so you can even bring that local produce into your kitchen via your doorstep!

ReFresh Farmers Market in New Orleans

The ReFresh Farmers Market happens on Mondays from 3:00 – 6:00pm at 2606 St. Louis Street. We recommend checking the Facebook page for the most up to date information. SNAP is accepted.

Gretna Farmers Market in New Orleans {Westbank}

The Gretna Farmers Market happens on Saturdays from 8:30am – 12:30pm on the Westbank of New Orleans {300 Huey P Long Avenue | Gretna, LA 70053}. Within walking distance of the iconic Mississippi River, this kid-friendly outing in New Orleans is also pet friendly. 100% free and open to the public, guests will discover a variety of smoked and barbecue meats, prepared food, dairy, local honey, baked goods and more.

Mandeville Farmers Market {Northshore}

The Mandeville Farmer’s Market is ideal to visit on Saturday mornings {675 Lafitte St., Mandeville, LA} for unique New Orleans gifts and crafts. While you can certainly discover food items like coffee, jellies and boudin, this is a large market with an abundant number of other booths / vendors as well. There is often a local musician on stage, too. The market is open every Saturday from 9:00am – 1:00pm.

Abita Springs Art and Farmers Market {Northshore}

The Abita Springs Art and Farmers Market is worth the drive from New Orleans! The market features produce, seafood and poultry all at the gorgeous Abita Springs trailhead. Unlike many of the other Farmer’s Markets in New Orleans, this one happens on Sundays. We recommend following the Abita Springs Art and Farmers Market page on Facebook to see the latest updates, vendors and event information.

Covington Farmers Market {Northshore}

The Covington Farmers Market, less than an hour outside of New Orleans, is located at 609 Columbia Street on Saturdays from 8:00am – 12:00 Noon and at 434 N. New Hampshire Street on Wednesdays from 10:00am – 2:00pm. In addition to live music, guests can discover prepared foods, beef, vegetables, fruit, soaps and so much more. You can even find authentic Mexican salsa and prepared Greek and Italian cuisines. Note :: this market does NOT feature crafts.

Camellia City Farmers Market {Slidell}

In exciting news for Slidell moms, The Camellia City Market located just outside of New Orleans is Slidell’s first “true farmer’s market.” The market is located in Olde Towne Slidell at 333 Erlanger St. {Slidell, LA 70458}. On Saturday mornings, you can find everything from fresh Louisiana strawberries to tamales. Be sure to follow their event page because some Saturdays also feature live music or fun food trucks! Vendors accept credit cards, cash and SNAP/EBT as payment.

If you have not yet visited a farmers market in New Orleans, you are missing out! Some of the best produce, fruits, meats and speciality food items can be discovered at the New Orleans farmer’s markets … and the best part is that this is a kid-friendly thing to do in New Orleans!

 

19 COMMENTS

  1. Great article Andie! I am fighting the grocery budget as well. We just hit up Hollygrove for the first time this weekend and really liked it. They even have a subscription service where they will deliver you a box of whatever is fresh once a week. I thought that was a great idea- especially for those of us that struggle with taking kids in and out of the car and making multiple stops. I don’t know about you but my kid only lasts so long!

    • I WOULD LOVE to get a Hollygrove box, but they don’t deliver to my area. 🙁 I am guessing because we have a farmer’s market. I love going to the market- it is just a matter of me getting up on Saturday mornings and going! Andrew actually LOVES going to the market (as you can see) because they do a lot of kid friendly stuff and all of the farmer’s love to talk and play with him. 🙂

  2. Not just produce but meat too. We buy our meat from Cox’s at the market. I spend about $65 and it last my family if 5 about two weeks. I get steak, ground chuck, chicken, and pork chops. The meat is fresh and bought from local farms weekly. You can taste a difference! The ground chuck is so lean I’ve had to add oil to cook it before! Saturday morning dance class has been cutting into my market time!

    • Yes! Cox’s Meat Market has been around for a very long time- he used to drive his truck to our neighborhood when I was a kid- I’ve known Mr. Dale Cox since I was a kid! They get their meat fresh from local farmer’s as well- and he has some of the best fresh sausages around!

  3. Great info! Our family moved here from Ohio within the past year. We had so many options for groceries! The prices down here are insane. I’m just thankful for the info. We will be going to check out the Wednesday market in Covington. It should be an adventure for me and my little ones 🙂 Your blog has been so helpful with our transition into the NOLA life!

    • I am glad to hear that it is not just us that thinks prices are high! I am from here, but we lived in Phoenix and Tampa for a while. We had access to pretty much every chain and were in sticker shock when we came back here as adults!

  4. This is one of the first nmb posts that really resonated with me. We’ve always loved the farmer’s markets, but thought the only way to use them as a regular option was to get up every saturday morning and run around to different farmer’s markets collecting what we needed. With 2 kids under 2 years, it seemed like an exhausting task. We were going to Whole Foods for all of our food and spending a fortune getting mediocre (expensive!) organic berries from South America.

    I’ve discovered it is completely possible to shop mainly locally and sustainably (and affordably) without much effort in New Orleans. In addition to the places you mentioned, the New Orleans Food Cooperative is a regular store that carries seasonal, local produce and other trader joe-like organic and bulk items. We’re loving that we now have a local butcher in Cleaver & Co (grass-fed beef from New Iberia? Yes, please!). We find that it’s easier to drop into Hollygrove like a regular grocery store now that they’re open 5 days a week and we love the Crescent City Farmer’s Market. Now I can just fill in with items from Rouses, who is carrying an increasing number of local and organic items, and Whole Foods when needed.

    • I am so glad to hear that you have found grocery solutions- I had no idea the New Orleans Food Cooperative existed and now I’m intrigued and want to go there as well as Cleaver & Co. These are the kinds of places I’ve been looking to find! 🙂

  5. I’ve moved from Slidell to Mississippi. Do you know how I’d be able to find a market near me? When I’m across the border to visit family, I have no problem finding one. There’s a nice one in Slidell, also. But it would be great to find one nearer to me.

    • There is a website called LocalHarvest.org that will list farmer’s markets in your area. I also know that it lists farms where you can buy direct as well! 🙂 That’s how we get our info to go blueberry picking in the summer. 🙂

  6. Excellent post, Andie! Thanks for reminding me of this. I think the next nice Saturday we have, I’ll be visiting the one here in Mandeville.

  7. Great article. I actually do some shopping at Sankofa Farmers Market in the Ninth ward. Its very inexpensive. With $10 I had two full bags of different veggies. They also have an educational component to the market in which kids around the area grow herbs and veggies to sell and the market. So besides a good deal, its nice to shop in a place that works to improve the youth.

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