The 34th annual French Market Creole Tomato Festival is this weekend,  June 13 and 14, and s making a digital transition this year in response to COVID-19 regulations. 

The virtual festival observes the abundance of Creole tomatoes in Southeast Louisiana by featuring to-go meals from local French Market and New Orleans restaurants, in partnership with Ochsner Eat Fit. Additionally, musical performances will be streamed in partnership with the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, including acts like Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes, Gina Brown and Anutha Level, Dr. Michael White’s Original Liberty Jazz Band, and more. 

“We want to be thoughtful and intentional in our continuation of this cherished French Market tradition by meeting people where they’ve been during the COVID-19 pandemic, within their online platforms and at their dining table,” said Anna Tusa, French Market Corporation Board of Directors President, in a press release.

Over 12 restaurants in the Greater New Orleans region will have featured dishes highlighting the Creole tomato, and will be available for pick-up, delivery, and dine-in. Featured restaurants include Meals from the Heart Café, Blue Line Sandwich Co., Broussard’s, Andrea’s, Lakeview Harbor, Patois, and more.

The Creole Tomato Festival has partnered this year with Oschner Eat Fit to further nourish the community. “Even if we are not physically together, we can still connect through food. This connection is nourishing to our spirit as well as our bodies, and our Ochsner Eat Fit restaurant partners are delighted to flex their creative muscle with nutritious and delicious dishes that feature the Creole tomato,” states Molly Kimball, registered dietitian and founder of Ochsner Eat Fit.

Farm-fresh Creole tomatoes will be sold by vendors and available for pick up through Market Umbrella’s Crescent City Farmers Market for those looking to make their own tomato-centric meals. 

Streaming performances for the Creole Tomato Festival will be live on Facebook and Instagram via the social media pages from French Market and the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park.

For more information, visit the official website for the French Market District.