Richard McCarthy

Earlier this week, I had one of those enviable New Orleans moments. There I was: standing in a farmers market, debating with a group of market-goers as to whether Lent’s Gumbo des Herbes does or does not contain meat.

Are you familiar with the fifth element on the culinary spectrum, umami? Scientists have debated whether the four taste groups adequately cover it: sweet, sour, bitter and salty.

By the time our region’s markets are ringing their closing bells this afternoon, the New Orleans Road Food Festival will be in full swing in the French Quarter.

The other week, I experienced poetry whilst shopping for seedlings at a market. Has this ever happened to you? To begin with, I bumped into a delightful yet unsung hero: Sister Lilliane Flavin of Hope House.

There’s a word I keep hearing these days — bounty.

It is only right that we embrace the ebb and flow of the seasons. So out with the king cakes and in with fish on Fridays. Out with spirits and in with beverages that cleanse the soul and the colon. Yes, I said colon. I too find it a bit awkward to utter on the radio. So, let me move on to the point.

Hi, this is Richard McCarthy with the WWNO Farmers Market Minute… You knew Valentine's Day is today, right? Oh, no, did it catch you off guard?

Embrace the new year! Take risks. Eat new things. Join the 74% of shoppers who are introduced to new flavors at farmers markets.

Hi, this is Richard McCarthy with the WWNO Farmers Market Minute Happy New Year! Risking my ruining of your plans for culinary excesses this evening, I'd like to discuss New Year's resolutions. Yes, I know. They tend to focus on eating less of this or that. Instead, why not resolve yourself to do more.

Merry Christmas! In a rare moment of commercial restraint, our regions farmers markets are closed for two successive Saturdays. Christmas Day and New Year's Day. This allows for farming families to spend time at home together like everybody else. Needless to say, weekday farmers markets remain open.