CBMC’s Farmers Market Initiative – A Community Cohesion Effort

All mitigation projects are on hold until further notice.

Crescent City Farmer's Market

German Coast Farmer's Market

Vietnamese Farmer's Market

New Orleans has a rich and diverse history. Many people in the 9 th Ward remember a time when the land was filled with food producing farms and truck farmers who would take their produce door to door or sell it in one of many open air public markets. The old public market system allowed for fresh and affordable produce to be enjoyed by all. These market spaces were also gathering spots where neighbors shared stories of joy, want, and need.

In an effort to bring the four impact neighborhoods together, the CBMC has decided to create a 9 th Ward farmers market as their community cohesion project. The CBMC sees the benefits of open air farmers markets which spark community cohesion and economic development. Markets have the potential to create neighborhood economies reflecting the diversity of place. According to the director of the Crescent City Farmers Market, Richard McCarthy , "farmers markets can create beneficial spin offs including the creation of a regional community and a local community gathering space that showcases homegrown ingenuity. In addition, farmers markets can create a safe public space that becomes the town square, the village green. These safe spaces have the potential to change people's perception about a neighborhood."

On July 15, 2004 the CBMC voted unanimously to move forward with their efforts to create a 9 th Ward farmers market as their Community Cohesion project.

In addition to the farmers market, the CBMC envisions a growers association in which vacant lots in the impact area are turned into sustainable, food producing land.

The CBMC is currently working with the City of New Orleans to create a partnership in the development of a 9 th Ward farmers market.

On March 17, 2005 , the CBMC voted unanimously to express their support for working with the City of New Orleans , to create a farmers market east of the Industrial Canal . The Corps will develop a grant agreement with the City of New Orleans for developing a farmers market.

July 15, 2004 CBMC Farmers Market Recommendations

• To move forward on the development of a farmers’ market and a growers association as the community cohesion project
• To locate the market on the East side of the Industrial Canal, or Below the Canal
• To work with the City of New Orleans and the French Market Corporation in the organization and governance of the market
• To offer support to the Crescent City Peace Alliance for their development of a market on the West side of the Canal at the corner of Press and Royal Street
• To require that the CBMC hold a seat on the board of directors of any organization that accepts Mitigation funding to develop a market
• To work with those organizations and individuals identified through coordination efforts in the development of the farmers’ market and growers association
• To utilize the history of the 9th Ward as a truck farming community in a marketing strategy

March 17, 2005 CBMC Farmers Market Recommendations

• To work with the City of New Orleans in the organization and governance of the market
• To require that the CBMC be fully involved in choosing a site for the market
• To require that the CBMC hold a seat on the board of directors of any organization that accepts Mitigation funding to develop a market
• To require that the CBMC be recognized in all marketing and signage for the market
• To recommend that an alternative market site at 5400 St. Claude Avenue