A Gathering Place Where Community and Cultures Meet
More than just a marketplace, the Free People’s Farmers Market is a community-centered initiative rooted in the legacy of Bayou Road as a historic site of trade and cultural exchange among Indigenous, Black, and other marginalized communities. It’s the continuation of a centuries-old tradition of economic and cultural self-determination, designed to uplift local growers, makers, food entrepreneurs, artists, and organizers.
In partnership with Recirculating Farms and Cupcake Fairies, The André Cailloux Center is committed to increasing food access and strengthening economic opportunity in New Orleans' historic 7th Ward. By honoring tradition while supporting innovation, the Market fosters economic sustainability, resource sharing, and collective celebration—bridging past and present to cultivate a more equitable and thriving future.
Rooted in the legacy of Bayou Road as the city’s oldest thoroughfare and a historic marketplace, we’re creating a community-centered space where fresh, accessible, and culturally relevant food is available to all. Through economic empowerment, food justice, and the arts, we are reclaiming our right to nourish, gather, and sustain our people.
When: Every 2nd Saturday of the month, starting October 18th, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Where: The parking lot adjacent to The André Cailloux Center for Performing Arts & Cultural Justice.
Get Involved!
Interested in being a vendor, performer, or volunteer?
Limited number of booths available
Follow us for updates & vendor spotlights
List the MARKET DATES
Oct - December
October 18th
10 - 5 pm
Part of the Home fest activations
Why “Free People’s” Farmers Market?
The name “Free People’s” honors the history of maroons—enslaved African and Indigenous people who escaped bondage and built self-sustaining communities throughout Louisiana. These communities created independent economic, agricultural, and cultural systems, resisting colonial rule and ensuring their survival. Bayou Road, the oldest thoroughfare in New Orleans, was a key corridor for free and self-emancipated people to trade goods, share resources, and build thriving Black and Indigenous economies. Located in Bulbancha (the Indigenous name for New Orleans, meaning "place of many tongues"), Bayou Road has long been a meeting place and marketplace, connecting diverse communities for centuries. Today, the Free People’s Farmers Market continues this legacy by providing fresh food, business opportunities, and a gathering space that uplifts self-determination and community well-being.
FAQs
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The market is a vibrant hub for the community! At every event, you can expect:
Live Cooking Demos: Learn creative and affordable ways to prepare fresh, seasonal produce.
Live Music & Art: Experience the soul of New Orleans with performances by local musicians and artists.
Heritage Food Vendors: Connect with your roots through vendors offering staple ingredients central to Black, Creole, and Indigenous culinary traditions.
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Yes! We are committed to ensuring everyone can access fresh food with dignity. You can easily use your SNAP/EBT benefits to purchase fresh produce, dairy, baked goods, and more from our vendors.
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Absolutely. We double your purchasing power. Through programs like Market Match and Double Up Food Bucks, every dollar you spend with your SNAP card on fresh fruits and vegetables is matched, giving you more to bring home to your family.
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Yes. We are dedicated to creating a comfortable and welcoming experience for all community members. The market features wide, ADA-accessible pathways, wheelchair-friendly seating, and designated resting spots for our elders. We also provide multilingual outreach and signage to welcome non-English-speaking members of our community.
