When speaking with a L’OBSERVATEUR reporter Dec. 13, Mike Washburn of LaPlace said one of the reasons he attended the grand opening of the St. John the Baptist Parish’s Creole Farmers’ Market was to “keep money in the parish.”

He and his wife normally attend farmers’ markets in other towns out of the parish, but he liked the idea of a Wallace-based option.

His wife Dee said the market was “very nice and has lots to offer.”

That’s just what organizers hoped for. Backers of the project hope more local and regional residents share the Washburns’ perspectives.

Things certainly got off to a good start this month with plenty of fanfare.

Parish Economic Development Committee Chairman Rodney Nicholas said the opening followed “intensive” and “aggressive” efforts by the Committee and parish government.

However, the hard work of the past few months and planning of the past few years is only the beginning. With regular operating hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday, the test of the market’s future viability won’t be judged by any grand opening hoopla, but by the support of community members and organizers.

The Creole Farmers’ Market is located at 5793 River Road in Wallace, at the foot of the Veterans Memorial Bridge. It offers delightful options spanning all types of produce and merchandise from area vendors and farmers, who double as our very own neighbors.

Nicholas boasted to the crowd this month: “welcome to the future. The future is now. This is the start of something big on the West Bank.”

He’s right, as long as there is a large buy-in from everyone involved.

For information on the market or how to become a vendor, call the parish Economic Development Department at 985-652-9569 or download an application at sjbparish.com/ecodev_general.php.