Market organizers set meeting
FORT FAIRFIELD — Momentum is building as volunteers work to re-establish a marketplace for local produce and products. Since the effort to create a weekly farmer’s market on Fort Fairfield’s Main Street was announced in February, buzz has continued to grow in the community, with many farmers and growers expressing a desire to participate.
There has been enough interest generated that volunteers have scheduled a meeting to launch the market, which will be held Tuesday, March 22, at 6pm in the Fort Fairfield Town Council Chambers. All are welcome to attend.
“The timing seems perfect as growers are eyeing the return of spring,” stated volunteer coordinator Lori Risner. “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, which is to establish a volunteer organization which will oversee the market’s operations and set the goals and parameters of the farmer’s market.”
The grassroots coalition of volunteers, working in conjunction with the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, have received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from growers and producers throughout central Aroostook County excited at the prospect of having an additional midweek market where they can sell time-sensitive goods.
The group hopes by bringing interested parties together to establish a governing board, details like day of the week, market hours, vendor fees and more can be set and the farmer’s market can be established.
“This next step in the process is critical if the Fort Fairfield Farmer’s Market is to be successful,” stated Tim Goff, executive director of the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. “We believe by working closely together with growers, we will allow them to develop ownership of the farmer’s market so that it meets their needs and expectations and will be something they are committed to supporting and growing.”
While the farmer’s market is still in the planning stage, the group is considering holding the market on Wednesdays from 12-6 p.m. in a vacant, town-owned lot adjacent to Katahdin Trust Bank.
Anyone interested in learning more or becoming involved is encouraged to contact Risner at 472-0690 or by emailing fortsfarmersmarket@gmail.com.
