Photo by Matt Sigur.
Recently revamped, Southside Produce brings a new light to the traditional farmers market in Baton Rouge.
The 24,000-square-foot market started as a mere fruit stand in the 1930s, making it one of the oldest food businesses in Baton Rouge. It’s been at its current location at 8240 Perkins Road since 1992 when owner Andy Pizzolato and his father, owner of the original stand, decided to expand. The self-proclaimed “largest open-air market” upgraded to a large open-front building for its produce stands late last year.
Pizzolato says it was time for the store to get a facelift.
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“We’ve been here since 1992,” he says. “We wanted to bring in new products to offer our customers more and this allowed that. We’re happy with the new model.”
While the produce remains fresh and affordable, the store also boasts seemingly endless shelves of locally-made jams, jellies, salsas and salad dressings. All of Southside’s shelved products are made by a private-label company in southern Texas.
Strawberry, blackberry and grape jellies; ranch, Caesar and bleu cheese dressings—all the classics are there, but so are some off-the-wall flavors. Miso sesame vinaigrette, strawberry jalapeno or “Red Flame” preserves and habanero pepper peach jelly are just a few interesting labels found at Southside.
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Southside’s shelves also hold a variety of grilling sauces like roasted raspberry chipotle and Key lime margarita. With snacks like pickled carrots and quail eggs, sweet potato and pumpkin butter, and tequila lime pistachios, Southside Produce caters to a variety of taste buds.
Southside Produce is open 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., seven days a week.
—Amanda Capritto