What’s fresh in December at the Baton Rouge farmers markets

Even as the months get colder, the Red Stick Farmers Market is not slowing down.

This month, cabbage and broccoli are at their freshest, and the first strawberries of the season will appear at the end of December.  

Other fresh options currently in season at the farmers market include leafy greens (collards, Swiss chard, spinach), root vegetables (beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, turnips), Louisiana citrus (navels, Louisiana sweets, grapefruits, kumquats) and pecans.

Sugar cane syrup will also make an appearance just in time for the holidays. And if you’re looking for a natural way to decorate, holiday greenery from the Greenhand Nursey is available.

Throughout the month, the farmers market will also hold several events. Head to the market this Saturday, Dec. 3, for a holiday celebration featuring homemade goods by local artisans at the Main Street Market and the Arts Market, face painting and entertainment by John Gray Jazz Trio and the Baton Rouge High School Choir. The Baton Rouge Arts Market will continue in conjunction with the farmers market every Saturday in December leading up to Christmas.

Join the farmers market every Saturday at 10 a.m. as guest chefs join chef Celeste Gill to create recipes with seasonal, local ingredients. The demonstrations are held inside the Main Street Market. Check out the schedule:

“Fresh from the Market” cooking demonstrations:
Dec. 3 with Anne Milneck from the Red Stick Spice Co.
Dec. 10 with Chef Kelley McCann from Kalurah Street Grill
Dec. 17 with Jay Ducote from Gov’t Taco and Bite and Booze

Red Stick Farmers Market hosts weekly farmers markets on Tuesdays, 8 a.m.-noon at the East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library; Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon at LSU Health Baton Rouge; Thursdays, 8 a.m.-noon at Pennington Biomedical Research Center; Thursdays, 9 a.m.-noon at Exxon Mobil YMCA; and Saturdays 8 a.m.-noon at the Main Street Market downtown. Find out more information here.