[StBernard] St. Bernard Seafood and Farmers Market held its first Market Day May 21: Market to be held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Seafood and Farmers Market held its first Market Day May 21

Market to be held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

The St. Bernard Seafood and Farmers Market held its first Market Day May 21,
just before the Old Arabi Sugar Festival. The market is located at the
Aycock Barn at 409 Aycock Street in Arabi, Louisiana in the heart of the Old
Arabi Historic District.

 

The mission of the St. Bernard Seafood and Farmers Market is to help
increase access to fresh, locally grown produce and seafood in St. Bernard
Parish and to create an enjoyable, safe community event that brings people
together while promoting sustainable economic development, Market Manager
Ashley Proze said.  

 

"The St. Bernard Seafood and Farmers Market is part of the overall plan to
improve the quality of life in St. Bernard by raising the standards and
ensuring St. Bernard has amenities offered in other areas," St. Bernard
Parish President Craig P. Taffaro, Jr. said. "It is part of the bigger
picture to revitalize the Old Arabi Historic District." 

 

Saturday's Grand Opening of the St. Bernard Seafood and Farmers Market was a
celebration with live entertainment that kicked off a season of family fun
where a wide array of locally harvested produce and seafood will be
available for sale, and market exhibitors also will sell baked goods,
plants, and arts and crafts. 

 

Councilman Ray Lauga, who represents District A that includes the Old Arabi
Historic District, said the Aycock Barn Open Air Market is a positive
addition to the area his area that could become a social center for Old
Arabi. 


"We are very fortunate to have such a facility that will bring visitors and
residents to the center of Old Arabi so they can learn more about the
parish's historic neighborhood along the river," Lauga said.

The St. Bernard Seafood and Farmers Market is the first market of its kind
in St. Bernard Parish and organizers plan to grow the event each week.
Renovating Aycock Barn was a $2.18 million FEMA-funded project to convert
the facility into a family-friendly open air market complete with vendors
and pop-up fountains for the children.

 

"Farmers markets provide consumers with a reliable supply of fresh, locally
harvested produce and seafood," said Market Coordinator Amanda Hardesty.
"They also give growers, fishermen, and artisans the opportunity to sell
directly to consumers and further develop relationships."

 

Proze agreed. 

 

"This beautiful new facility serves as a great opportunity to promote the
unique culture and sense of community prevalent in St. Bernard Parish,"
Proze said. "The market will provide a venue for community members to sell
and buy their own produce, find information about local organizations and
how they can get involved, and enjoy family entertainment on a weekly basis.
I am extremely excited to be managing this new endeavor and to have the
opportunity to witness first-hand the future development of not only the
Seafood and Farmers Market but also of St. Bernard Parish as a truly unique
travel destination."  


The St. Bernard Seafood and Farmers Market will operate every Saturday from
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October, rain or shine. The market will be geared
toward local farmers and fishermen so they can sell their products to the
local community. However, several spaces will be available for local
artisans who specialize in handmade arts and crafts. Those who would like to
sell flowers, bedding plants and seeds also will be welcomed to the market.
Consumers or vendors interested in learning more about the market can email
Ashley Proze at market at sbpg.net or call (504) 355-4442. 

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