Engaging With Produce
The New Orleans Food Coop Opens First-Ever Farmer’s Market
by: Brandon Curran; NOHC Marketing and Events Coordinator
Customers at the New Orleans Food Coop all definitely know Richard Siday. Richard has been working as The Produce Manager at The New Orleans Food Coop for less than a year; but his sights are set large. Richard is working with the New Orleans Food Coop to host their first Farmer’s Market. For Riachrd, this event brings in a needed service for the St. Roch/St. Claude community.
“I am trying to establish The Farmer’s Market for people who are long term residents of the city and particularly for people who live in the upper ninth ward to give them a sense of what other neighborhoods have access to. They can also feel the warm sun, hear some live music, and see an intimate crowd of neighbors and engage with your environment in a different setting. I hope it sparks the interest in people trying to get more involved and engaged.”
For Richard, The Farmer’s Market further emphasizes the New Orleans Food Coop’s mission in connecting community with healthy and accessible food.
“The Food Coop is stepping up to its commitment of a democratic environment which gives everyone the right to speak. Whether that be a question about products or trying some new produce, I feel like The Farmers Market is connecting all various communities with a chance to mingle in a great, physical space.”
When speaking with Richard, his passion and dedication about this cause was clear as he talked about his goal for the Farmer’s Market to grow into a staple event for the community.
“I hope in the long run this farmers market evolves into something that people can depend on. We need to organize and collect the resources. Weather it is small scale, medium scale or large scale, I hope people get their butt on the scale and support the community.”
The first New Orleans Food Coop’s Farmer’s Market will take place on March 25th from 9:00am to 1:00pm in the back of The New Orleans Healing Center. The Farmer’s Market will include; local produce farmers, live music, a few nibbles and a great opportunity to connect with your neighbors. Additionally, The Healing Center’s Groundwork New Orleans will host a ‘Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop’ to help the community live a more sustainable and affordable life.
The New Orleans Food Coop opened in 2011 with a mission to bring healthy and accessible food to the local community. Today, the Food Coop has over 3,800 members and serves many customers who are not owners as well. The New Orleans Food Coop brings democracy back to the food. More information on the New Orleans Food Coop can be found here: http://www.nolafood.coop/
