Wednesday, Saturday activities set for German Coast Farmers’ Market

Published 12:08 am Wednesday, September 23, 2015

DESTREHAN — The German Coast Farmers Market in St. Charles Parish is celebrating Oktoberfest with special activities during the month of October.

The market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays at Ormond Plantation in Destrehan and Wednesday from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at the St. Charles Plaza Shopping Center on U.S. 90 in Luling.

The German Coast Farmers’ Market is a year-round, rain or shine market.

A River Parish youth smiles during a previous farm-to-school program, which the markey puts on to enrich the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers through education.

A River Parish youth smiles during a previous farm-to-school program, which the markey puts on to enrich the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers through education.

“Produce is at the market year round,” Ann Montgomery said. “The farmers have been taught by the LSU AgCenter on how to extend their growing seasons so that produce is available long after the typical growing season. Presently, we have tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, green beans, okra, squash, etc.”

Montgomery, farmers market board vice president and marketing chairwoman, said the market has been operating since 2003.

“The idea for development of the GCMF originated with the German Coast Community Heritage Group seeking to celebrate the living tradition passed on informally within our community by families and community members,” Montgomery said. “The German Coast is one of the oldest settlements in Louisiana. Some of the descendants continue to farm and provided produce for the community.”

According to Montgomery, the market has four local farmers providing fresh produce, along with a variety of fresh meats, ready-to-cook meals, wine, freshly baked breads, pastries and more. There is also live music, contests, plant exchanges, crafts and cooking demonstrations by local chefs.

Different activities for all ages are planned as part of Oktoberfest.

October is National Farm to School month, and with the help of a grant from the St. Charles Women’s Club, the market is hosting the Gesunde Kinder — a children’s healthy eating program kickoff.

In German, Gesunde Kinder means healthy children.

“Farm-to-school programs enrich the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers through education,” Montgomery said. “The Gesunde Kinder program is open to all children from 5 to 12 years of age. All they need to do is register at the welcome booth at the market, either on the East Bank in Destrehan or the West Bank in Luling.”

Montgomery said the German Coast Farmers’ Market wants children to know their local famers and to appreciate the hard work it takes to grow, harvest and bring the produce to market.

“We encourage children to ask our local farmers how they grow certain fruit or vegetables,” she said.

“They would be only too happy to share their information on farming on the German Coast.”

Along with the Gesunde Kinder program Oct 3, there will be live music by accordion player Julie Council, a German food cooking demonstration by Chef Richard Kiral of Ormond Planation and a LSU AgCenter Master Gardeners advice station.

On Oct. 10, the market will feature a historical woodworking demonstration by local historian Jean Becnel, craft vendors, fall plant exchange, LSU AgCenter Master Gardeners advice stations, live music by Blanch Newsome and a St. Charles Parish Library display and used book sale.

For Oct. 14, Blanch Newsome will perform live for a second time.

The Saturday of the 17, there will be performances from Allemands Elementary Cajun Dancers and Blanch Newsome, along with a LSU AgCenter Master Gardeners advice station.

Oct. 24 will feature live music from accordion player Eric Hahn, local woodcarver demonstrations and a LSU AgCenter Master Gardeners advice station.

On the last day of Oktoberfest, Oct. 31, there will be a Halloween costume contest, Halloween cooking demonstration by Chef Richard Kiral of Ormond Plantation, woodcarver demonstrations by local carvers and live music from Blanch Newsome.

For more information long onto germancoastfarmersmarket.org.

By Raquel Derganz Baker