LULING — The German Coast Farmers’ Market will open a second Market which will be on the West bank every Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. , starting on July 5.

The Market will be located at Dougie V’s Restaurant, 13899 River Road in Luling. A second Market with a different location and time frame was added in order to provide that it is as convenient as possible for all to attend.

The Saturday Market, which began in May of 2003, will continue at Ormond Plantation, 13786 River Road in Destrehan, from 8:00 a.m. until Noon.

Parish President Albert Laque and other Parish officials will be on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony on July 5 at 4 p.m.

The Market is sponsored by grants from the Parish President and Parish Council through the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Ormond Plantation, Dougie V’s, River Region Arts and Humanities Council, St. Charles Historical Foundation, St. Charles Women’s Club, Valero, Seedlings and the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

In keeping with German tradition, Dougie V will provide a Biergarten and will be offering a Green Plate Special consisting of pecan-crusted catfish, green beans and bacon mashed potatoes.

A new and different Special will be offered each week using produce and products from the Market.

David Haydel, who is a direct descendant of early German Coast settlers, will provide music.

The German Coast Farmers’ Market Mission Statement reads, &#8220Farmers’ Market will serve as a community gathering place, tourist destination, and a market for a wide range of fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers and other value-added items in the Parish of St. Charles.”

The German Coast is one of the oldest settlements in Louisiana. Some of the earliest settlers’ descendants continue to farm and provide produce for the community.

It has been written by prominent historians and scholars that the Germans were instrumental in saving the Louisiana Colony.

Other continuing traditions are music, gardening, cooking, pumpkin carving and painting, needle art and the Oktoberfest.

In spite of the drought the produce has been plentiful. There will be bell and banana peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, okra, cabbage, beans, cantaloupes, watermelons, corn, onions, garlic, squash and more.

For the gardeners a variety of citrus trees, bedding plants, shrubs and trees, hanging baskets and fresh cut flowers will be available.

A wide variety of meats and seafood will be offered, such as sausages, sauces, specialty meats, head cheese, soft shell crabs, crab meat, stuffed crabs, shrimp, Des Allemands catfish, crab cakes, shrimp and crawfish pies, pulled pork, rotisserie smoked chicken and more.

Delicious Italian breads and pastries, wine and jellies, Hispanic specialties and cheeses.

For the sweets and spice lovers there will be sweet potato, coconut and pecan pies, cakes, honey, Cajun BBQ and spices, kettle popcorn, cracklings, etc.

Other specialty items include soy candles and goats’ milk soaps.

The German Coast Farmers’ Market is a non-profit organization, operated by a volunteer board and established to encourage the ability of farmers and small vendors to reach the public directly with the freshest of produce and home grown and produced products.

For further information contact Market Coordinator Wayne Andrus, 985-758-2593 or wandrus@bellsouth.net.

Readers are invited to visit Market website at www:GermanCoastFarmersMarket.org for further information.