HOULTON, Maine — The July 20, 2015 Houlton Rotary Meeting featured Sarah Williams Flewelling speaking about the County Co-op and Farm Store at 53 Main St. in Houlton. Attending the meeting were Nellie Frazier guest of Becky Day. Guests of Forrest Barnes were his wife Ann and Leon and Barbara Duff. Walter Thompson, a visiting Rotarian said the prayer for the meeting. A sign up sheet was passed around for the Wings and Wheels event at the Houlton International Airport.
Flewelling gave a very enthusiastic talk about the County Co-op and Farm Store beginning with the mission statement which is to “provide a member owned and controlled retail outlet for natural and sustainable foods, goods and hand crafted items while promoting locally sourced and organic products whenever available at affordable prices to support the health and well-being of our members and our community in the Southern Aroostook and surrounding area.”
The County Coop Vision statement reads as follows: Our vision is to foster community, support local producers, and educate our public about how to prepare, cook and utilize healthy food and products by providing a base from which we are a source of wholesome and local food, goods, and Maine made crafts and an educational resource while striving to be ecologically and socially responsible.
To achieve these statements the store is stocked with many locally grown products such as flour, oats, dairy, eggs, canned and dried foods as well as supplying baked foods, quiches, salads and soups. Organic coffee is always available and a cooler provides other beverages.
The co-op was incorporated July 2013 and the store opened July 2014. There are currently 136 members. The price of membership is $200, which gains discounts in the store and the ability to order bulk food from Associated Buyers. When a person spends a dollar on locally grown food 67 cents of each dollar stays in community. Sarah coached that the food tastes better and is better for you.
There are 40 local producers and 10 local bakers with certified kitchens involved in the co-op store. The store is hosting events in an educational series including canning, herbs, backyard chicken energy balance, pressure canner, soil conditioning and other classes. Store hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
