Interview with Nicole Johnson on Fightingville Fresh Market

African Americans and Creoles of Color must return to their holistic healing, gardening, and dietary roots. That’s the message from Fightingville Fresh Market, which believes communities of diverse racial backgrounds deserve the opportunity to grow, eat, and supply nourishing food.

According to Feeding America, Lafayette Parish’s food insecurity population was 32,960 before the global pandemic (2019).

Subsequently, it rose to 35,900 after the pandemic (2022). Overall, over 700,000 people in Louisiana deal with food insecurity.

“[Due to HPAI] egg prices in January 2025 were 53.0 percent higher than in January 2024 and surpassed the previous peak prices in January 2023,” The U.S. Department of Agriculture says.

With the rise of groceries and health risks, Louisianians encourage Sankofa, to look back to one’s ancestral heritage and bring farming traditions to the forefront.

Fightingville Fresh Market is an intentional health food pillar in North Lafayette. It’s a hub for artisans, local gardeners, farmers, herbalists, education, and more, giving residents hope that they can grow and eat together.

“What keeps us going is the people of the neighborhood because we recognize the value we bring to the neighborhood, but also our community of farmers,” Nicole Johnson said.

The Black Wall Street Times interviewed Co-founder Nicole Johnson about the formation of Fightingville Fresh Market, using food as medicine, and the importance of community sufficiency.