Old French Market (photo by William Henry Jackson, ca. 1880-1897, courtesy Library of Congress)

It's been 200 years since the Old French Market of New Orleans opened for the first time. Even Hurricane Katrina couldn't keep it closed. After $5 million worth of renovations it's ready to open again.

The Market's venerable Cafe Du Monde has been open for some time. It will soon have 200 tenant neighbors, including a farmers market, a flea market, the Old U.S. Mint, and numerous entrepreneurs selling clothing and art.

At 200 years old, the French Market is a relatively recent addition to commerce at its Mississippi River locale. As a trading place the location dates back to the Choctaw Indians, before the Europeans settlers arrived.

In a report from the Associated Press, Patricia Henry, interim director of French Market Corporation is quoted as saying, "The most important change is in the farmer's market...We will have fresh food in the market again, fresh produce, meat, seafood, dairy, dry foods, spices, coffee."

As New Orleans may have the most distinctive indigenous food of any city in America, that's a farmers market we'll be sure to shop!

If you'd like to read the article from the Associated Press as it was posted on Yahoo! go to: French Market back in New Orleans