This Farm Market In Maine Is A Fantastically Fresh Wonderland
By Catherine Armstrong|Published July 27, 2019
×
Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Summertime is the time for fresh fruits and vegetables, and there’s no better place to get them than at the farmers market. One of Maine’s largest markets is the Portland Farmers Market, and it’s in two locations all summer long.
Every Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m, head to downtown Portland for the Washington Square market. This urban market will give you a taste of the city, situated near the Portland Public Library, and surrounded by shops and restaurants.
This market has a long history, starting all the way back in 1768, with a few townspeople going through the streets of Portland offering blueberries, mollusks, and lobster. In 1805 it became a weekly market with stalls at Hay Market Square (now Washington Square). The Wednesday market celebrates a time-honored tradition!
29 vendors display their fresh produce, and you'll find a huge array of juicy fruits, flavorful vegetables, and more. The market opens in May and runs through November 27th.
The Deering Oaks Park market is the place to be every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. You'll want to get there nice and early for the best selection of fresh fruits and veggies from 38 farms.
This market is a lot slower-paced, and you can take your time browsing and chatting with the farm owners as you make your way from one stand to another, checking out the produce that was picked locally just hours before.
Local vendors also sell honey, maple syrup, and jam to complement your meals. Say hello to the farmers and get to know their families - food always tastes better when you know how it got to your table!
Compared to what you'll find in your local grocery store, the offerings here are so much more fresh. This produce hasn't been sitting around in a bin for two weeks after riding on a truck for 1,000 miles - it was picked locally and you can definitely taste the difference.
Want to be a part of the market? It's always looking for volunteers, and if you want to take part as a vendor, street busker, or non-profit organization, you'll want to visit the market's website to see how you can join in.
Both markets accept credit cards and SNAP. When you're buying fruits and vegetables with your SNAP account, the market offers a 1:1 match! Head to the Market Information Booth to get wooden tokens that are used in place of cash.
