By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

WALLACE — The St. John Parish Creole Farmers Market will open to the public following a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Dec. 13.

The Creole Farmers Market will be located at 5793 River Road in Wallace, at the foot of the Veterans Memorial Bridge. Regular operating hours will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday.

With talks in the works and plans under way for years, Tuesday’s policies and procedures approval by the St. John the Baptist Parish Council cleared the final hurdle for the market to offer a variety of local and fresh produce, including fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products.

In addition to the economic benefits of spending in St. John Parish, the market will also provide a location for local farmers and agriculturalists to market their products in the community.

Parish Economic Development Committee Chairman Rodney Nicholas spoke at Tuesday’s Council meeting, and said the residents of the West Bank, as well we the entire EDC, is very excited about the market.

“The mission of the Creole Farmers Market is to increase access to fresh, locally harvested produce, to build a strong community on vendor/consumer relations, to bring people of the River Region together and to promote economic development,” Nicholas said.

Nora Pierre, an EDC member who has worked extensively on the project, said the market is not a business venture, but rather a service venture.

“This is not something just to make money,” Pierre said. “This is something to bring a new service to our parish and is advantageous to all of us, not just the West Bank.”

Many Council members thanked the EDC and West Bank residents who have worked extensively on the market’s debut.

Councilwoman at Large for Division B Jaclyn Hotard said she thinks the market, which has “been a long time coming, will give people a sense of community and pride.”

Councilman for District 1 Art Smith, whose area of representation includes the West Bank, said the market is vital for the area.

“It’s a project that’s going to start growing the West Bank,” Smith said.

Applications for potential market vendors are available at the Percy Hebert Building, the Edgard Courthouse and online at sjbparish.com.

For more information, call the parish Economic Development Department at 985-652-9569.