Regional farmers, backyard growers, and farming cooperatives invited to apply for vendor opportunities

New Orleans - The Sankofa Farmers Market, a local New Orleans marketplace, is initiating a “call for farmers” to host regular vendor booths, every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Market offers regional farmers a weekly venue to sell their produce directly from the farm within a sustainable food market. It also serves as a community anchor, empowering local residents with access to healthy produce and information about healthier living.

At this time, produce/products in demand include:

Blueberries

Onions

Summer Squash

Cheese

Oysters

Asparagus

Bananas

Oats

Yogurt

Hummus

Blackberries

Corn

Lima Beans

Fresh Juice

Bean Dip

Melons

Olives

Tomatoes

Pecans

Raw Foods

Figs

Sweet Potatoes

Peppers

Live Crawfish

Vegan products

Garlic

Snap Peas

Milk

Live Crab

Gluten free products

The Sankofa Farmers Market is the only open-air fresh farmers market in the Ninth Ward community, and is within a five mile radius of the Treme, Seventh Ward, Fauburg Marigny, French Quarter, Gentilly and Mid-City neighborhoods.

Founded in 2010, the Market continues to grow and currently generates an average of 300 customers weekly, with vegetable farmer vendors sustaining average gross sales of $450 per market.

Farmers, fishers and food producers travel from various parts of New Orleans, and the Gulf Coast to showcase their products. Items currently sold include seasonal fruits and vegetables, an assortment of baked breads and bagels, whole pastured chicken, eggs (duck and chicken), hot pepper jelly, wild-caught Louisiana shrimp, herbs, vegetable starter plants, ornamental cut flowers, and an array of local delicious eats.

The Market serves to encourage nutrition awareness, the reduction of major diet-related health issues and the importance of supporting neighborhood gardens. The Sankofa Farmers Market is a project of the Sankofa Community Development Corporation and supports community and economic development while promoting local farming and agriculture.

If you are a farmer or fisher interested in becoming a vendor at the Sankofa Farmers Market, please contact Alexis Castro, Outreach and Market Coordinator at 504.872.9214 or alexis@sankofanola.org

You may also go to www.sankofanola.org to submit a vendor interest form and review the vendor rules and regulations.

About Sankofa Community Development Corporation

Sankofa Community Development Corporation, founded in 2008, serves as a catalyst to revitalize New Orleans’ Lower and Upper Ninth Ward communities

The 501c3 non-profit organization was established to facilitate advances in urban revitalization, healthy living, education and economic development. Currently, the Sankofa Community Development Corporation oversees the Sankofa Farmers Market, the Sankofa HEAL Project, the Frederick Douglass Garden and the Sankofa Blueberry Farm. For more information, visit www.SankofaNOLA.org.