FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — It has been a number of years since Fort Fairfield had ready access to locally grown and produced food, but a group of fresh-food lovers is working to change that with what they hope will be Aroostook County’s newest farmers market.
The volunteers have joined forces with the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce to gauge the interest in bringing a market back to the town.
“The timing seems perfect as growers are eyeing the return of spring,” Fort Fairfield farmers market volunteer coordinator Lori Risner said. “Combined with the growth in demand for locally sourced foods, we believe there is a real appetite to move forward to the next step in the planning process.”
Organizers recently took that step, with a public meeting to officially launch the market plan and start planning a governing board, days and hours for the market and vendor fees.
“We hope to establish a volunteer organization which will oversee the market’s operations and set the goals and parameters of the farmers market,” Risner said.
She said current volunteers and chamber members already have received positive feedback from growers and producers.
“They are excited at the prospect of having an additional midweek market, where they can sell time-sensitive goods,” Risner said.
Many residents, she said, have told her they travel the 15 miles to Presque Isle on Saturdays for the market there and would be very interested and supportive of having one in their own backyard. Right now Risner said the idea is for a weekly market, in downtown probably on Wednesdays.
“We are looking at midweek because we don’t want to compete with the other [weekend] markets,” she said. “There is also a lot of foot traffic downtown on a weekday.”
Fort Fairfield has had a farmers market in the past, but it has been idle for a number of years, Risner said. “So many people in town are saying they would like to get farm fresh food again. … Plus, it’s a great way to help someone by buying their locally grown and produced foods.”
Organizers said they hope to have the market open in time for Memorial Day and tie it in with the annual Potato Blossom Festival in July.
“We believe by working closely together with growers, we will allow them to develop ownership of the farmers market so that it meets their needs and expectations,” Tim Goff, executive director of the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, said. “It will be something they are committed to supporting and growing.”
Anyone interested in learning more or becoming involved can contact Lori Risner at 472-0690 or email fortsfarmersmarket@gmail.com.
