Wining & Dining
Fran Chaisson's strawberries from Ponchatoula
Bring Farm to Table
Story and photos by Angie Kay Dilmore
Farmers Markets come alive in spring and early summer, featuring colorful, fresh-picked produce and herbs, farmfresh eggs, organic meats and dairy products, jams and jellies, prepared foods, baked goods, handmade soaps and essential oils, arts and crafts, and often, musical entertainment. Here, we feature some of the regular vendors at the Lake Charles markets, as well as details on where you can find other farmers markets around Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas.
Stacy Mack
with M&M Ranch has been a vendor at farmers markets for 15 years. Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the farmers markets, creating unique challenges to market vendors. “The chickens still laid eggs, and plants continued to grow,” said Mack, who found creative ways to keep her business alive despite the barriers. She arranged to meet individually with her regular clients, offered home delivery, and sold her produce to Restaurant Calla. “Our income was cut in half, but we managed to stay afloat.”
F ran Chaisson, owner of Lil’ Ass Farms,
Stacy talks to a customer at the Charleston Market
is on the south end of the Saturday Charleston Farmers Market. Their fresh produce includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, depending on the season (think cukes, squashes, and tomatoes). Sweet, juicy, Pontchatoula strawberries were a hit early May.
Carolyn Smith, owner of Carolyn's
Jams and Jellies is a fixture at both the Cash and Carry and Charleston markets, Carolyn sells homemade jams, jellies, and specialty pickled vegetables. Carolyn's Jams and Jellies
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Thrive Magazine for Better Living • June 2021
