A week of stormy weather dumped record rainfall on the area and flooded the fields of some local farms, but it wasn’t able to wash away our monthly Pop-Up Farmers Market held June 1. In fact, gray clouds gathered but held off as a dozen new vendors and hundreds of customers came out to learn more about local food products, meet the bakers, cooks, and artisans, and barter for goods. 

Many booths again reported selling out of their food products, which ranged from grass-fed beef to locally harvested honey, salad dressings to artisan breads, jams to cold-pressed juices. Five small business from the LSU AgCenter Food Incubator participated, including Re:, Hanley Foods, Delightful Palate, Ruth’s Hummus, Elkarita, and Southern Art Sauces. There were soaps and lotions and crafts as well, including handmade pottery by Susan Rodrigue and handmade birdhouses and acrylic paintings by Art by C. There were product giveaway raffles, master gardeners handing out expert advice, and face painting for children, adding to the county fair atmosphere. 

“I like to meet people face to face who use my product, and I believe they enjoy putting a face with the product they use,” said Becky Hess, owner of Eden Natural Soaps.  “I also like the opportunity to educate people on why my soap is what I believe ‘special.’  It’s a great relaxed and fun atmosphere to accomplish this.”