Celebrate Red Stick Farmers Market’s big milestone during a week of special events
Happy 30th birthday! 🎉🥳
Food fans of all ages mingle and shop at the Red Stick Farmers Market every week, chatting with farmers and selecting seasonal produce, boutique breads, fresh flowers and farmstead cheese.
But a fair number of those shoppers can’t remember a time when Baton Rouge’s largest green market didn’t exist. Founded in 1996, the gathering and its organizing body, Big River Economic and Agricultural Development Association, or BREADA, celebrate 30 years in operation next week, marked by several days of special events.
The market’s longevity is an impressive feat steeped in bootstrap beginnings and an enduring commitment to farmers, its advocates say. The organization was part of a wave of farmers markets that launched nationwide in the ’90s, tapping into the country’s burgeoning interest in local foods and its hunger for special, small-batch culinary finds. But the Red Stick Farmers Market had staying power because it prioritized regional farmers and makers. All of the items available are grown or made by the people who sell them.
“It was always organized around the producers first,” co-founder Chris Campany told 225 in the November 2026 issue. “The goal was to make it financially viable for them to sell directly to consumers.”
And they have. The farmers market began on a former surface lot on North Boulevard and St. Louis streets with a handful of vendors, and steadily grew to become a year-round, multi-location event with thousands of regular attendees. Current executive director Darlene Adams Rowland, who has led the organization since 2021, says BREADA hosts 130 markets a year, including its main event downtown on Saturday mornings and a large market at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center on Thursdays. Additional seasonal markets are held at the ExxonMobil YMCA and the Main Library at Goodwood during the summer and fall.
Get in on the celebration
Next week, BREADA will host several events to mark its 30th anniversary, including lunch specials at several restaurants. Those include concepts currently open in the Main Street Market: Vivian’s Rotisserie & Grill, The Cozy Griddle, River & Roots and Sapor Indian Fusion, as well as Houmas House, Eliza Restaurant & Bar, Danny’s Dive Bar & Grill, Iverstine Butcher, Hayride Scandal and Cocha.
Other events to attend:
How to Grow Vegetables
Monday, Nov. 2
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Main Street Market
During this vegetable planting talk with grower and Southern University adjunct professor Mila Berhane, whose Greenhand Nursery is an original Red Stick Farmers Market vendor, Berhane will share tips on growing heirloom and ethnic veggies like bitter melon and turmeric.
Seasonal midweek Red Stick Farmers Market
Tuesday, Nov. 3
3 to 6 p.m.
Main Library at Goodwood
This seasonal market features produce, pressed juice, baked goods and other items and takes place in front of the Main Library.
Seasonal midweek Red Stick Farmers Market
Wednesday, Nov. 4
9 a.m. to noon
ExxonMobil YMCA
This seasonal market run by BREADA staff features a medley of offerings from Red Stick Farmers Market vendors.
Cooking demonstration
Wednesday, Nov. 4
11 a.m. to noon
Main Street Market
LSU nutrition professor Judy Myhand will provide several quick cooking demos for integrating fresh ingredients into everyday meals.
Red Stick Farmers Market
Thursday, Nov. 5
8 a.m. to noon
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
At this iteration of the year-round mid-week market, find fresh produce, seafood, pork, beef, teacakes, prepared foods, dairy and other items.
Chair yoga
Thursday, Nov. 5
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Main Street Market
Yoga instructor Tracy Morganti will provide 15-minute chair yoga sessions at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon and 12:30 p.m.
Pop-up market
Friday, Nov. 6
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Main Street Market
A curated pop-up market stationed near River & Roots will feature artists and makers like Positive Vibez Only Candles, To Dream in Color hand-painted wood earrings, Cactus & Succulents and Yarn Yard. The Fretless Yard Girls will play live music.
Red Stick Farmers Market
Saturday, Nov. 7
8 a.m. to noon
5th and Main streets
This special anniversary version of the year-round weekly gathering will feature dozens of vendors along with one-time events to mark the 30th anniversary, including live music from John Gray Jazz and a pop-up cash bar by Cocha. At 10 a.m. inside Main Street Market, Red Stick Farmers Market co-founder Chris Campany will give a talk about how his master’s thesis while he was an LSU Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture student led to the market’s creation. The monthly Arts Market will also take place at this Saturday Market.
Read more about the Red Stick Farmers Market’s history in this story from the November 2026 issue of 225.
