HEALTHCARE UPDATE: Rural Healthcare Advancement in Kinder – Allen Parish Community Healthcare Completes Phase 1 of Expansion Project
January 2025
Mastering Meal Prep
January 2025
by Angie Kay Dilmore
Fresh local produce may not be on your radar in January, but if you’re making plans for eating healthy in 2025, local farmers markets are open year-round and offer great opportunities for fresh fruits and vegetables.
Some farmers get creative in their growing methods to offer produce through the winter months. At the Tuesday afternoon Cash & Carry Farmers Market in Lake Charles, Going Rogue Farms has lettuces and other greens, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, radishes and more. Third Day Farm grows nutrient-rich microgreens indoors – arugula, broccoli, cilantro, kale and red cabbage. Fresh milk products from Hillcrest Creamery are also offered each week. Diana’s Cakes, Confections and More brings her irresistible baked goods. Carolyn Smith and her Jams, Jellies & Soaps has been a fixture here AND the Charleston Farmers Market for many years, as has Fran Chaisson, who sells produce, eggs and pecans in season. Other market staples include honey products, meats, specialty drinks, arts and crafts.
Need more reasons to be a local produce patron?
Always fresh. Produce at a farmers market is often picked that very morning. You can’t find that level of fresh at a chain grocery store. Fresh-picked fruits and vegetables have more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than produce harvested who-knows-when, so they are naturally more nutritious. They are also generally safer.
In season. Fruits and vegetables purchased at a farmers market are by nature in-season. And that means it will be delicious, as intended. If you’ve ever purchased a store-bought tomato in winter, you understand.
Green is more than a color. Local produce travels only a short distance from field to market to your kitchen. Compare that to produce grown a state, a country, a continent or an ocean away, harvested weeks ago and shipped to local grocers via truck, train, plane or boat. Not only is local produce fresher, it also has a smaller carbon footprint and thus is better for our environment.
Shop local. Community markets are platforms for makers, bakers, growers and creators. When you shop at the same market regularly, you get to know the vendors. You can ask them questions; for example, what’s the difference between micro-greens and sprouts, or how to prepare an odd-shaped squash you’ve never seen before? The vendors become like friends you look forward to seeing.
Find a farmers market near you!
Lake Charles:
• Cash and Carry – 801 Enterprise Blvd., Tuesdays, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. (Opens at 3:30 for seniors.)
• Charlestown Farmers Market – Behind Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center, 1001 Ryan St., Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. – noon.
Moss Bluff:
• Moss Bluff Farmers Market and Swap – Hwy 378 between McDonald’s and Peto’s, Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. – noon.
Jennings:
• Market on Main at Founder’s Park. One Saturday a month. Dates vary, see their Facebook page for schedule. Features arts, crafts, music & food.
DeRidder:
• DeRidder Farmer’s Market – 206 N. Washington Ave., daily, sun-up to sundown.
Oberlin:
• Oberlin Farmer’s Market – 228 W. 6th Ave. See their Facebook page for days and times.
Sulphur:
• Sulphur Heritage Market – The Grove at Heritage Square, 1211 Ruth St. Follow their Facebook page for fall event info.
