Maine Farmers’ Market Week: Ideas for Your Farmers’ Market Finds
This year marks the 25th annual celebration of National Farmers Market Week, August 4th through 10th! Markets bring great value to their communities by supporting local farmers and creating access to fresh, homegrown foods.
The impact doesn’t stop there; by supporting your local farmers market, you can help stimulate local economies, preserve farmland and rural livelihoods, and support healthful communities. It’s important to note, that SNAP benefits are available via EBT cards, making local produce accessible to more folks. There are events, activities, and contests planned for Farmers Market Week to add to the excitement and help boost awareness and attendance, however, some might argue that they are fun as is on their own! Check out the local Maine farmers markets below by the day of the week that they are open. For more information on each farmer market’s locations and times, please visit the ‘Maine Farmers Market’ website.
Markets by Day of the Week
Monday
Pittsfield Farmers’ Market
South Berwick Farmers’ Market
Waterford 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 (Lewiston) Farmers’ Market
North Yarmouth Outdoor Market
Orono Farmers’ Market
Rangeley Area Farmers’ Market
Winter Harbor Farmers’ Market
Wednesday
Camden Farmers’ Market
Cherry Hill (Gorham) Farmers’ Market
Fairfield Farmers’ Market
Falmouth Farmers’ Market
Islesboro Farmers’ Market
Ocean View Grange (Tenants Harbor) Farmers’ Market
Deering Oaks (Portland) Farmers’ Market
Wells Farmers’ Market
Thursday
Boothbay Farmers’ Market
Brewer Farmers’ Market
Brooklin Farmers’ Market
Bucksport Bay Farmers’ Market
Downtown Rangeley Farmers’ Market
Downtown Waterville Farmers’ Market
North Berwick Farmers’ Market
Northeast Harbor Farmers’ Market
Rockland Farmers’ Market
Woodfords Corner (Portland) Farmers’ Market
Yarmouth Farmers’ Market
Friday
Alan Day Community Market
Belfast Farmers’ Market
Brunswick Farmers’ Market
Damariscotta Farmers’ Market
Danforth Farmers’ Market
Farmington Farmers’ Market
Freeport Farmers’ Market
Greenwood Farmers’ Market
Hampden Farmers’ Market
Holden Farmers’ Market
Lincoln Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market
Machias Valley Farmers’ Market
Moosehead Family Village (Greenville)
Farmers’ Market
Southwest Harbor Farmers’ Market
Stonington Farmers’ Market
Trenton Grange 550 Farmers’ Market
Union 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-Topsham Land Trust Farmers’ Market
Camden Farmers’ Market
Cumberland Farmers’ Market
Dayton Farmers’ Market
Dover Cove Farmers’ Market
Eastport Farmers’ Market
Ellsworth Farmers’ Market
Fairfield Farmers’ Market
Farmington Farmers’ Market
Greater Gorham Farmers’ Market
Hallowell Farmers’ Market
Houlton Community Market
Kennebunk Farmers’ Market
Lunec Market
Millbridge Farmers’ Market
Millinocket Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market
North Haven Farmers’ Market
Orono Farmers’ Market
Otis Farmer’s Market
Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market (Portland)
Presque Isle Farmers’ Market at Riverside
Rockport Farmers’ Market
Saco Farmers’ Market
Sanford Farmers’ Market
Steep Falls Farmers’ Market
Unity Farmers’ Market
Van Buren Farmers’ Market
Vinalhaven Farmers’ Market
Wayne Farmers’ Market
Wilton Farmers’ Market
Windham Farmers’ Market
York Farmers’ Market
Sunday
Bangor Farmers’ Market
Bar Harbor’s Eden Farmers’ Market
Belgrade Lakes Farmers’ Market
Dayton Farmers’ Market
Somerville Pumpkin Vine Family Farm
Gray Village Farmers’ Market
Hallowell Farmers’ Market
Howland Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market
Kittery Community Market
Lewiston Farmers’ Market
Sabbatus Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market
Scarborough Farmers’ Market
South Portland Farmers’ Market
Ideas for your Farmers’ Market Finds
Freezing
This process involves packaging and freezing foods either raw or cooked for consumption later. Food’s nutritional content is not altered by the freezing process and can be a very cost-effective way to preserve the foods you find seasonally. From meats to produce, almost anything from the grocery store or farmers market can be frozen. For more information on freezing foods, check out this article.
Canning
While best known for fruits and vegetables, canning preserves the food for the shelf and can be done with just about any type of food. This could be various versions of tomatoes (sauce, salsa, stewed, etc.), green beans, pickles (which come from cucumbers), fruits (which also could be made into jams or preserves!), and even meats! An important disclaimer is that canning does require a bit of knowledge and supplies so for more information and to learn about canning 101, click here.
Cooking
Incorporating your garden or farmers market finds into your daily dishes is a great way to use them and find enjoyment. Finding various ways to prepare your food can add another layer of excitement to your dishes. Baking, roasting, grilling, frying, boiling, sauteing, and steaming are just a few examples of the different ways you can cook something. The fun part (cause we have to keep it fun, right?) is that each method of cooking provides a different flavor and texture to add variety to the mix. For example, roasting broccoli versus steaming– both enjoyable in their own right. One offers a roasted, nutty flavor while the other provides a juicy, fresh texture… and both are equally delicious to most broccoli connoisseurs. If you feel like you’re lacking in ways to incorporate or bring to life the market finds in your fridge, look below for recipe ideas that may inspire your next dish. You can also check out this recipe website for more summer creation ideas.
Dehydration
This form of preservation involves drying out (removing the moisture with dry heat to be more scientific, usually done in a food dehydrator) your foods for a dehydrated version. This is great for herbs and spices (like parsley, basil, rosemary… any of them!). You can also do this with your produce, which could be made into dried fruit, veggie chips, salad toppers, and so much more! Meat can even be dehydrated into jerky, proving, yet again, another versatile preservation method.
Versatile Ideas for Produce
Tomatoes
Add to roasted or grilled veggies
Casserole or mixed dishes
Salads or veggie trays
Green Beans
Perfect side to meals
Add to roasted or grilled veggies
Canned beans
Cucumbers
Canned pickles
Add as a side to meals or snacks
Toppers to salads
Corn on the Cob
Roast or grill with other veggies
Add to various dishes
Great topper to salads or tacos
Chowder
Fresh Fruit
Ideal side to any meal or snack
Add on top of cereal, yogurt, or ice cream
Incorporate into baked goods or desserts
Make into jams, applesauce, or can as whole fruit (like pears and peaches)
Zucchini or Summer Squash
Great side to any dish or incorporated into dishes
Add to baked goods (like breads or cookies)
Roasted or grilled veggies
Onions and Garlic
Flavorful addition for infused oils or vinegar
Pair perfectly with any dish
Can be used for additional seasoning and flavor (consider herbs and spices as well)
You never know what you may find at the farmers market. Produce, pastries, even soaps, and handmade jewelry… With so many versatile ideas, you can be sure to find something that fits your needs. Get in on the action, and enjoy your local community’s market today! If you are struggling with your relationship with food, reach out to our team of dietitians, who will be happy to meet you where you are and review your concerns.
