Okra has grown throughout the Lower Ninth Ward for decades. Sankofa CDC is restoring vacant and  blighted lots in the Lower Ninth Ward with okra planting. The goal is to transform 40 acres of land into the Sankofa Vegetable Farm, a collective of vacant and blighted properties throughout the Lower Ninth Ward that are being transferred into okra farms, with 40 acre of land transformed by 2026. The first two Sankofa Vegetable Farm locations are at 5463 N Rampart and 2207 Tennessee St. We are transforming our land from blight to right.

Okra, native to West Africa, is a versatile vegetable that is deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of New Orleans and connected to the city’s rich history and its African heritage. Okra is a member of the hibiscus family and recognized by its vibrant yellow flowers with dark centers, lobed green leaves, and slender green pods. It thrives in warm climates and has become a staple in Southern cooking.

Okra is most commonly used is in gumbo, linked to the West African name for Okra “kimgombo” the dish that truly defines New Orleans cuisine. In New Orleans, traditional okra gumbo is a direct lineage to the west African dish with an okra and tomato base paired with crabs and shrimp to make a hearty stew. To learn more about gumbo’s journey from West Africa to New Orleans, read this article on BBC Travel. Feeling inspired? Explore recipes for making gumbo at home and experience the rich flavors of this cultural classic.