From Soil to Supper: Exploring New Orleans’ Community Food System

A guided walk connecting city spaces, community growers, and the farmers market

Before the American College of Culinary Medicine Annual Meeting begins, attendees are invited to join this optional, informal community walking experience offering local context around food access, urban agriculture, and community health in New Orleans.

This guided walk is led by Swati Shah, MD, MPH, FACOG, a local OB-GYN physician actively involved in New Orleans’ food and community agriculture scene. As a volunteer and member of the Community Committee of Sprout NOLA, she brings both medical and community perspectives to this experience.

Participants will also experience the city like locals by using New Orleans’ historic streetcar public transportation to travel between neighborhoods. The walk is designed to be relaxed, educational, and social.

3:00 PM – Meet in the lobby of the International House Hotel
3:10 PM – Walk together to the streetcar stop
3:40 PM – Arrive at Sprout NOLA, a nonprofit supporting farmers and gardeners in accessing fresh vegetables

4:00 PM – Walk to the Crescent City Farmers Market via the Lafitte Greenway, a paved urban trail and notable landscaping project in New Orleans

4:15–4:45 PM – Enjoy the market at your leisure
• Shop for local produce
• Grab snacks or ready-made foods and drinks to go
• Relax at picnic benches along the route

4:45 PM – Return to a nearby streetcar stop
5:30 PM – End back at the International House Hotel

Walking
Segments are conversational and manageable, with each lasting no more than ~20 minutes

Weather & Transportation
This is a fully outdoor experience and will take place rain or shine, unless the farmers market is cancelled due to severe weather
• Bring a poncho if rain is possible
• Hat and sunscreen recommended

• We will be taking the public streetcar.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes.

• Bring $1 bills in cash and some 25cent coins (quarters) - 1-way fare is $1.25
• Or download the LePass App, create an account and buy your fare on the app.

Accessibility
May not be fully accessible for individuals with mobility impairments

Group Size
Limited to 15 participants

• 25% of proceeds will be donated to Sprout NOLA
• If the farmers market is cancelled, 50% of proceeds will support local food system work.

Participation is optional and space is limited. This is a unique opportunity to experience New Orleans through a community-centered food and health lens before the meeting officially begins.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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