Fresh Finds at the Red Stick Farmers Market
New faces and foodstuffs at Baton Rouge's longest-running Saturday morning market.
Saturday morning at Baton Rouge’s Red Stick Farmers Market is, for many, a ritual. Weather permitting, local farmers come early to set up their booths, lining their fold-out tables with homegrown produce in vivid hues.
The crowd arrives with the sun. Young parents clutch cups of coffee and push double-wide strollers along the narrow strip of pavement between the booths (their toddlers running nearly afoul of the dawdlers and plant-toters). A woman in workout gear inspects a jalapeño pepper, and two volunteers shuttle a watermelon to one shopper’s car. Chefs and home cooks, teenagers and young professionals, hippies and yuppies alike gather each week to celebrate Louisiana’s year-round growing season.
Among the familiar faces and vendors are some newcomers to the market, a number of them first-generation farmers like Allison and Grant Guidroz of Fullness Farms and Galen and Angela Iverstine of Iverstine Family Farms. Others are just more recent additions to this particular block party. Here’s a preview of fresh finds at the market as we head into fall … get ready to update your grocery list.
Our Family Farm facebook.com/ourfamilyfarm66 Amite, La.
Based in Amite, Louisiana, Regina and Daniel Wadsworth (pictured above) are the team behind Our Family Farm. Look for them at their well-styled booth slinging fresh cuts of lamb, eggs, hydroponic lettuces, and little jelly jars of homemade pesto. Their offerings won’t change much with the seasons, but Regina said the couple enjoys being a part of the market and its community of food producers.
Goppelt Farms goppeltfarms.com Gonzales, La.
Sibling duo Deborah and David Goppelt operate Goppelt Farms, a four-acre plot of land in Gonzales, Louisiana. At only 23 and 20, respectively, these first-generation farmers are part of a growing crop of Louisiana farmers focusing on health and sustainability. With pasture-raised poultry (raised on a diet of organic feed and classical music), seasonal vegetables grown without synthetic pesticides, and sights set on cut flowers in the fall, it’s no surprise these two have received a rousing welcome. According to David, he and his sister are taking a short break from the market, but their booth will be back soon with some favorite seasonal fall vegetables. Until then, the Goppelts’ produce is available through the local farm-fresh delivery service Indie Plate (indieplate.com).
Westdome Nursery Search for “Westdome Nursery” on Facebook. St Francisville, La.
Microgreens are all the rage in the culinary world, and a growing number of local restaurants, including Bin 77, have turned to Westdome Nursery (pictured left) as a source. Based just north of St. Francisville, Amy and Howard West offer pesticide-free basil, pac choi, amaranth, and sunflower shoots in addition to mushrooms and local honey. Westdome’s microgreens, as well as some of Amy’s baked goods, can be purchased online through Indie Plate.
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Gonsoulin Land and Cattle glcranch.com New Iberia, La.
Though the Gonsoulin family has been in the cattle raising business in Louisiana since 1770, they’ve only been selling their grass-fed beef and lamb at the market for about a year. Drs. Toni and Shannon Gonsoulin (pictured left, with Steven Diehl of Twine Modern Meat Market on far left) of New Iberia, Louisiana, own and operate Gonsoulin Land and Cattle in addition to the meat market on their property. Alisha Andrews, grazing and marketing specialist at the company, said soon their meats will also be sold at Twine, a new local meat market in Baton Rouge.
Lena Farms Louisiana facebook.com/LenaFarmsLa2016 Clinton, La.
Okra, bell pepper, peas, cucumbers, fig preserves (get them while you can), watermelons and duck eggs are just a few of the items from Lena Farms. Besides a variety of fresh produce and preserves, Lena Farms owner Judia Dugas (pictured left) sells dry hibiscus tea and, on occasion, homemade hibiscus chutney.
Luckett Farms luckettfarms.com Pride, La.
First-generation farmers Derek and Kacie Luckett of Luckett Farms pride themselves on their commitment to sustainable, environmentally conscious agricultural practices. The Lucketts specialize in seasonal vegetables and fruit like cabbage, cantaloupes, and collards as well as cut flowers and local honey. Kacie said in the coming months they’ll be gearing up to bring fall vegetables like corn, eggplants, and cauliflower to the market. Look out for their unique squash varietals, like buttercup, butternut, and spaghetti. Locals can join their consumer supported agriculture (CSA) program and have fresh vegetables delivered for about $25 per week.
To contribute to the Louisiana Small Farm Survival Fund, aiding recovery efforts for those farmers affected by the floods, visit breada.org/about-us/our-programs/small-farm-support.