PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — This is the third year of the Presque Isle Public Market, which is now being held in its new permanent home: the Public Market Pavilion along Riverside Drive, next to the Courthouse.
According to city grant writer and public information officer Kim Smith, the market features only Maine-made products and produce. Vendors this year include the Aroostook Beef Company, Bite This Food Truck, Windy Hill Wood Art, Salmon Brook Valley Maple Syrup, and the SAD 1 School Farm.
The Aroostook Beef Company is located in New Canada and primarily raises Black Angus for the superior quality of beef. At the Public Market, the company sells freezer beef packages such as quarters, sides and wholes as well as individual cuts.
New this year is the “Bite This” Food Truck. The owners are well known in the area, but new to the food vending arena. For 30 years, Rick and Sandy Guerrette owned and operated Sign Place on the Reach Road. This year, they “retired” and decided to try food vending, Smith said.
The couple built a vending trailer, took food safety classes and attained all required licensing and approvals. Their food truck is set up for lunch next to the Pavilion on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. with tables and chairs available for dining “al fresco”. Menu items include fresh ground hamburgers of different types, homemade chili dogs, deep fried Oreos, and apple rings with ice cream and caramel. Bite This makes appearances at other events such as auctions and festivals.
Elizabeth Kretschmer of Windy Hill Wood Art creates original wood-burned free-hand designs of the wild on wood such as cutting boards, lazy Susans, treasure boxes, recipe boxes, napkin holders, ornaments and much more. Custom orders are also available.
Salmon Brook Valley Maple Syrup is located at 320 High Meadow Road in Perham with approximately 3,500 taps and two sugar bushes. Roger and Joan Connolly and their family run the business; their specialty is maple butter. Visit their website at www.sbv-maplesyrup.com.
The SAD1 Educational Farm is located on 38 acres at 340 State Street in Presque Isle. Students and personnel there grow a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, make apple cider and offer natural honey. The School Farm opened in 1991. The roster of seven original students has grown to around 40, with their produce being used in the school lunch program and by area restaurants. Revenue generated by the School Farm is invested back into the program and its students, making it a true “learning lab.”
Smith said the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) reports buying local produce means it travels more quickly from the farm to the plate and is, therefore, of better quality. Another founding concept of the City’s market was to act as a business incubator for new and small local farms and businesses. Local markets support the local economy, create jobs, and keep dollars local, she said.
The market is open Fridays from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and will continue to offer quality local products until mid-October. Vendor spots are still available and the facility is also available for rent for special events.
For more information on the Public Market or the Public Market Pavilion, please contact Ken Arndt, Director of Planning & Development at 760-2727 or visit the City’s website at www.presqueislemaine.gov/public-market.
