Visiting the local farmers’ market has become part of the shopping routine for many in the Midcoast looking for locally grown, fresh produce.
In Brunswick, folks congregate Saturdays at the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust Farmers’ Market, one of two farmers’ markets in town. The market, established in 1999 and held at the trust’s 320- acre Crystal Spring Farm on Pleasant Hill Road, is one of the largest in the area, with a mix of vegetables, dairy products, meats, fruits and more, in addition to live entertainment.
Recently, folks lined up in the tent to peruse the bins full of produce grown at Six River Farm in Bowdoinham — one or more than 30 vendors.
The popularity of the farmers’ markets is part of a trend where people are looking to purchase and use more local fresh food, Drummond said. Many shoppers try new things, such as baby boc choy or a new vegetable they’ve never tasted or don’t recognize. There is a wide variety of options at the farmers’ market for the adventurous cook and shopper, and it can be exciting.
It’s rewarding work, in part because of the greater Brunswick community’s interest in supporting local food.
“Yeah, we are certainly able to sell enough to make it a viable business,” Drummond said.
In Bowdoinham
Bowdoinham has a fledgling market at Mailly Waterfront Park on the banks of the Cathance River at Mailly Waterfront Park.
“I love our location,” said Dave Asmussen of Blue Bell Farm, who organizes the market. Particularly on days that are good for boating, the park with its boat launch attracts activity.
Bowdoinham’s market has a handful of vendors and though it operates on a smaller scale, there is a range of products — vegetables, bread, meats, poultry and eggs, pastries, body products and goodies sold by young entrepreneurs at the Sprouts table.
Charlie Erskine of Erskine Farm said his rabbit sausage, rabbit pot pies and honey had been selling well. His Pittston farm also had a large array of meats, poultry, pickles and eggs.
The bigger the variety, the more likely people can do their entire weekly shopping at the farmers market, so every new vendor plays an important role.
“I think in general, people are becoming much more aware of what’s available in the season and we try to meet their needs. If they can be understanding that corn doesn’t come until later in the season, then everyone is going to be OK,” he said.
Greenhouses and hoop houses allow farmers to extend the growing season. Often, the market is the place to get produce — like tomatoes, cucumbers or berries — with a finite shelf life in bulk.
He brings only the best to market and tries to minimize what he can’t use. He’s had to learn to roll with whatever the season has to offer. Farming is also learning not to try to push mother nature too much. One year he planted too early — the conditions weren’t right and the seeds rotted.
“Trying to keep your springtime excitement in check is tough,” he said.
Half-way through July, however, crops are growing.
“In another couple weeks it’s going to be really awesome. That’s when all the fun stuff comes in,” he said.
dmoore@timesrecord.com
Midcoast summer farmers’ markets
• Bath Farmers Market, Saturdays May though October, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Waterfront Park, Commercial Street, Bath
• Brunswick Farmers’ Market, Tuesdays and Fridays May 2 to Nov. 22, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the mall in downtown Brunswick
• Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Saturdays May 6 to Nov. 4, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Crystal Spring Farm, 277 Pleasant Hill Road, Brunswick
• Bowdoinham Farmers’ Market, Saturdays June through October, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Mailly Waterfront Park, 1 Main St., Bowdoinham
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