Alexis Wells
Portland Farmers' Market
August 4, 2023
Friday Food Insider: It's time to go on a farmers' market tour
Alexis Wells
The Portland Farmers' Market in Deering Oaks Park is open Saturday and Wednesdays from April 26 to Nov. 22.
When I think of summer, one thing comes to mind — farmers' markets.
Trust me when I say there is nothing better than walking around a farmers' market on a Sunday afternoon. The smells of freshly baked pastries and wildflowers fill your senses. Searching for the perfect meats, vegetables and cheeses for that perfect fresh summer recipe. I mean, come on, how great does that sound?
This week your pal, the Friday Food Insider, is taking you on a Maine farmers' markets tour.
Happenings at markets
The Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets, a statewide organization supporting the farmers' market community, works with farmers, consumers and communities to make wholesome, locally grown foods available to all residents. There are over 120 markets and hundreds of vendors.
Executive Director James DeBiasi said farmers' markets are going strong this year. Despite the rainy weather Maine has had this summer and the drop in tourism, many vendors have seen an increase in sales.
"We've seen some new markets launch, including the Freedom Farmers' Market at the esteemed Lost Kitchen and a new market in Portland on Thursday afternoons," said DeBiasi.
"Farmers' markets were deemed as 'essential' at the start of the pandemic, and we see them having an increasing role to play in the coming decades in boosting community resilience and food security, especially in light of climate change and other potential destabilizing threats. Shoppers can do most of their entire grocery shopping trip at farmers' markets, including all the staples from bread, fish, eggs, meats, and of course the freshest seasonal produce you can find in Maine."
The Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets has two new programs in the works. Its low-income food access program, Maine Harvest Bucks, is now available at 44 markets across the state. Shoppers who use SNAP/EBT earn bonus bucks whenever they spend SNAP at their market. DeBiasi said the program led to over $500,000 in additional sales at markets and fresh food for these Maine households last year.
Alexis Wells
Portland Farmers' Market
An employer-partnership program, Bumper Crop, has led to over 50 organizations and businesses giving out more than $160,000 in farmers' market gift certificates. This program helps bring new shoppers to markets, where they discover the abundance and joy of shopping at their local farmers' markets.
Find a market near you
Check websites or social media pages for special events at the markets. Take a look at the list below to see when your favorite market will be open or to find some new ones to explore.
Sunday:
- Bangor Farmers' Market
- Bar Harbor's Eden Farmers' Market
- Belgrade Lakes Market
- Berwick Winter Farmers' Market
- Farmers' Market at Pumpkin Vine Family Farm in Somerville
- Gray Village Farmers' Market
- Hallowell Farmers' Market
- Howland Farmers' and Artisans' Market
- Kittery Community Market
- Lewiston Farmers' Market
- Sabattus Farmers' and Artisans' Market
- Scarborough Farmers' Market
- South Portland Farmers' Market
- Waldoboro Farmers’ Market
Monday:
- Pittsfield Farmers' Market
- South Berwick Farmers' Market
Tuesday:
- Augusta Farmers' Market at Mill Park
- Brewer Farmers' Market
- Brooksville Farmers' Market
- Brunswick Farmers' Market
- Calais Farmers’ Market
- Dover Cove Farmers' Market
- Kennedy Park Farmers' Market
- North Yarmouth Outdoor Market
- Orono Farmers' Market
- Rangeley Area Farmers' Market
- Winter Harbor Farmers' Market
Wednesday:
- Camden Farmers' Market
- Cherry Hill Farmers' Market
- Fairfield Farmers' Market
- Falmouth Farmers' Market
- Islesboro Farmers' Markets
- Ocean View Grange Farmers' Market
- Portland Farmers' Market – Deering Oaks
- Skowhegan Farmers' Market
- Wells Farmers' Market
Thursday:
- Boothbay Farmers' Market
- Brewer Farmers' Market
- Brooklin Farmers' Market
- Bucksport Bay Farmers' Market
- Downtown Waterville Farmers' Market
- North Berwick Farmers' Market
- Northeast Harbor Farmers' Market
- Rockland Farmers' Market
- Woodfords Corner Farmers' Market
- Yarmouth Farmers' Market
Friday:
- Alan Day Community Market
- Belfast Farmers' Market
- Brunswick Farmers' Market
- Cornish Farmers' Market
- Damariscotta Farmers' Market
- Farmington Farmers' Market (Friday)
- Freeport Farmers' Market
- Greenwood Farmers' Market
- Hampden Farmers' Market
- Harrison Farmers' Market
- Lincoln Farmers' & Artisans' Market
- Machias Valley Farmers' Market
- Moosehead Family Village Farmer's Market in Greenville
- Southwest Harbor Farmers' Market
- Stonington Farmers' Market
- Wiscasset Farmers' Market
Saturday:
- Bangor – European Farmers' Market
- Bath Farmers' Market
- Belfast – United Farmers' Market of Maine
- Bethel Farmers' Market
- Blue Hill Farmers' Market at the Fairgrounds
- Bowdoinham Farmers' Market
- Brewer Farmers' Market
- Bridgton Farmers' Market
- Brunswick Winter Market
- Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust Farmers' Market
- Camden Farmers' Market
- Cumberland Farmers' Market
- Dover Cove Farmers' Market
- Eastport Farmers' Market
- Ellsworth Farmers' Market
- Fairfield Farmers' Market
- Farmington Farmers' Market (Friday)
- Farmington Farmers' Market (Saturday)
- Greater Gorham Farmers' Market
- Hallowell Farmers' Market
- Houlton Community Market
- Kennebunk Farmers' Market
- Lubec Market
- Milbridge Farmers’ Market
- Millinocket Farmers' and Artisans' Market
- Orono Farmers' Market
- Otis Farmers' Market
- Phillips Farmers' Market and Faire
- Portland Farmers' Market – Deering Oaks
- Presque Isle Farmers' Market at Riverside
- Rockport Farmers' Market
- Saco Farmers' Market
- Sanford Farmers' Market
- Skowhegan Farmers' Market
- Steep Falls Farmers' Market
- Unity Farmers' Market
- Wayne Farmers' Market
- Wilton Farmers' Market
- Windham Farmers' Market
- York (Gateway) Farmers' Market
What is your favorite farmers' market stand? The Mainebiz Food Insider wants to know! Contact Alexis Wells at awells@mainebiz.biz.
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