Farmers Markets are a longstanding part of the city of New Orleans. Since the late 1700’s there has been some sort of open air market operating in the French Quarter. The city’s first market building was built by the Spanish around 1782, but like much of the city hurricanes and other natural disasters moved the original locations around until the Meat Market building – constructed in 1813 by Gurlie and Guillot – which still stands to this day. The French Market has been operating for centuries in some capacity, changing with the times and needs of the people in the city.
With that same idea, more farmers markets have opened around the city offering the same longstanding practice to continue for all of the residents of the Crescent City.
QUICK LOOK:
Monday:
Tuesday: Crescent City Farmers Markets (Uptown)
Wednesday:
Thursday: Crescent City Farmers Markets (Mid-City)
Friday:
Saturday: Community Farmers Market (Marigny/Bywater); Barcelo Gardens (9th Ward)
Sunday: Crescent City Farmers Markets (City Park)
Daily: Farmer’s Butcher & Farmstop (Bayou St. John); French Market (French Quarter)
The largest operating group of farmers markets is Crescent City Farmers Markets with three weekly market events.
Crescent City Farmers Markets
Operating for over 30 years, Crescent City Farmers Markets has evolved from one market in Downtown New Orleans to multiple events throughout the week.
UPTOWN
Tuesdays
8 a.m. – noon
The Batture
25 Walnut St.
MID-CITY
Thursdays
3 – 7 p.m.
Lafitte Greenway Plaza
500 N. Norman C. Francis Pkwy (at the Bayou)
CITY PARK
Sundays
8 a.m. – noon
City Putt Parking Lot
33 Dreyfous Dr.
More information can be found on the website here.
Community Farmers Market
The Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association hosts the weekly farmers market in the Marigny/Bywater area. Located at the St. Paul Lutheran Church at 2624 Burgundy St., the market runs each Saturday from 5 – 8 p.m.
This is a fresh food only market, with the organizers sharing the market brings fresh, affordable and nutritious food to the community while fostering health and connection among neighbors.
More information can be found here.
Barcelo Gardens Fresh Market
Barcelo Gardens is located in the Upper 9th Ward. Each Monday, the garden’s Instagram account posts the market locations and events for the week, but each Saturday you can head to the gardens specifically at 2301 Gallier St. from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. You can pick your own herbs and it looks like they have fun classes at each week during the market hours – this week (Sept. 12) is a free seedling starter class.
Farmer’s Butcher & Farmstop
This is an everyday option, but with the best parts of a weekly market. With this concept, the store is bringing things back to original grocery shopping – where consumers can buy directly from local farmers and artisans.
The Farmstop is now open at 519 Hagan Ave. in the Bayou St. John area Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Learn more about what to expect on the store’s website and Instagram account.
French Market
The most historic and notable market, the French Market is open daily in its iconic spot from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The area as a whole includes the Flea Market – which is open daily until 5 p.m. – and the Farmers Market with eateries and cafe style seating open until 6 p.m.
The area as a whole has a lot of craft vendors and local artisans, but it still provides locally-grown food. You can learn more about the history and the location’s offerings here.
