By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LULING — Fresh produce, local honey and cooking sauces and mixes are just a few of the options available for purchase every Wednesday and Saturday at St. Charles Parish’s German Coast Farmers’ Market.

Founded in May 2003, the market allows farmers and small vendors to reach the public directly with fresh produce and home-grown and produced products.  

The inaugural market was held in the east bank of St. Charles Parish on June 7, 2003. 

On July 5, 2006, the second location opened on the west bank of the parish.

The idea for the development of the market originated with the German Coast Community Heritage Group, which sought to celebrate the living tradition of farming passed on informally within the community by families and community members.  

The German Coast, one of the oldest settlements in Louisiana, was a settlement located on the east side of the Mississippi River, specifically in present-day St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. James Parishes.

St. Charles Parish is the fourth oldest settlement and first German settlement in Louisiana. It was originally known as the German Coast, then the County of the German Coast and then established by Act 1 of the Louisiana Legislature of 1807 as the Parish of St. Charles.

Some of the earliest settlers’ descendants continue to farm and provide produce for the community.  

Hahnville resident James Zeringue, one market vendor who has been selling fresh produce and other goods since the markets started, said he is a direct descendent of early German settlers who arrived in Louisiana in 1719.

He is proud he and some of his other family members are continuing his family’s agricultural tradition.

The Saturday market is held on the east bank of the parish from 8 a.m. to noon at Ormond Plantation, located at 13786 River Road. The Wednesday market is held on the west bank of the parish from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at the St. Charles Plaza Shopping Center, located at 12715 Highway 90 in Luling.

In addition to providing local products, the market also celebrates various holidays with a range of special events and celebrations, such as live music, pony rides, parades and programs.

Ann Montgomery, vice president of the market’s board of directors, said Saturday’s market is about twice the size of Wednesday’s market, but organizers are working to grow both options.

“The local produce is the main draw,” Montgomery said. “To be able to get fruits and vegetables that aren’t shipped from across the country or across the world is such an advantage.”

Even though produce is typically what draws people to market, Montgomery said, when patrons visit they acquire other favorite items, such as the fresh seafood, pepper jelly, soy candles and grass-fed beef.

For more information and to sign-up for the market’s newsletter,visit germancoastfarmersmarket.org. The market’s Facebook page can be found by searching “German Coast Farmers Market.”