ROUSES_Summer2023_Magazine Pages-Web

ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT The Garber family , consisting of Michael, Matt and Wayne, continue a farming legacy that dates back to 1881 in Iota, Louisiana. Their farm, spanning 5,000 acres, is situated on a sandy ridge between Bayou Nezpique and Bayou Des Cannes in the heart of Cajun Country in South Louisiana. The region benefits from the gentle, moist breezes blowing in from the Gulf of Mexico and the nutrient-rich sandy loam soil, which provides an ideal natural environment for cultivating their signature Louisiana yams, known for their sweetness and golden hue.

WE PROUDLY SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS

ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT There are 24 sugar parishes in Louisiana. The warm climate is perfect for growing sugarcane . Most years, Louisiana produces more than 15 million tons of sugarcane, which yields about 16 million tons of raw sugar. At Rouses Markets, we have our own brand of sugar. It is 100% Louisiana sugar, grown by Louisiana farmers.

ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT At the H.J. Bergeron Pecan Shelling Plant, located near False River in New Roads, Louisiana over five million pounds of pecans are shelled every year. The Bergeron family not only manages their own orchards but also procures pecans from over 90 growers across Louisiana. ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT Louisiana’s citrus groves span nearly 600 acres of fertile land, yielding a bounty of oranges, grapefruits and lemons every year. The crown jewel of the harvest, however, is the seedless and delectably sweet satsuma. Louisiana’s citrus harvest takes place between October and February and includes a variety of fruits such as Washington navel oranges, satsumas, mandarins, lemons, grapefruits and kumquats. The most abundant time for Louisiana citrus is during the period from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. These fruits are primarily grown in the southern region of the state, with Plaquemines Parish being the top producer.

ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT Matt Ranatza is a third-generation farmer who calls Belle Chasse, Louisiana home. Back in 1937, his grandfather sowed the seeds for what would become a farming legacy by growing the first-ever Creole tomatoes. Since then, Matt has been carrying the torch and expanding his farm to include cauliflower, cabbage, peppers, squash, eggplants, satsumas and navel oranges.

ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT Liuzza Produce Farm , a fifth-generation, family-owned business, is the largest strawberry and vegetable farm in Louisiana.

ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT The Steen family is one of the country’s last remaining

producers of unrefined cane syrup. Their syrup, which has a rich caramel flavor, has been a local favorite for over 100 years. They also make a thick, syrupy molasses.

Courtesy Steen’s Cane Syrup

Courtesy Bergeron Pecans

28 ROUSES SUMMER 2023