Celebrating Farmers' Markets
August 6-12, 2023, is National Farmers’ Market Week, and we invite you join us in celebrating the abundance of the harvest season in Downeast Maine!
Farmers’ markets have become more than just places to buy fresh produce; they are dynamic community spaces that shape the way we eat, shop, and connect.
Access to nutritious food is a key component of health. Shopping at local farmers’ markets is an excellent way to purchase fresh, nutritious, and affordable food for ourselves and our families. When we shop at farmers’ markets, we also directly support local producers - our friends and neighbors - while strengthening our local economy and building vibrant communities.
Farmers’ markets play a crucial role in building food security - strengthening local food systems, fostering connections between farmers and consumers, and promoting collective action for a fair and sustainable food future. Behind every successful farmers’ market, there's a passionate individual or team working tirelessly to bring the community together. Farmers’ market operators are true experts in their field, curating spaces that celebrate local agriculture and entrepreneurship. However, they can't do it alone. To continue thriving, these markets need both community and financial support, along with resources tailored to their unique requirements. By supporting farmers’ market operators, we nurture the roots of sustainable local economies.
Building community hubs through farmers’ markets
More than just places to shop, farmers’ markets serve as vibrant community hubs. They facilitate direct connections between farmers and consumers, fostering relationships that lead to a more equitable and resilient food system. The markets become spaces where shared values around sustainable agriculture, local businesses, and healthy living intertwine. As we shop at these markets, we contribute to a movement that extends beyond just buying produce—it's about nurturing the spirit of community and collective action.
Farmers’ markets are continually evolving to meet the changing needs of the communities they serve, and with that comes a commitment to create inclusive, accessible, and welcoming spaces for everyone. A fundamental belief unites these efforts: farmers’ markets are for everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.
Are you looking for farmers' markets in your community?
Healthy Acadia works across Hancock and Washington counties to support and grow farmers' markets and to help increase awareness of, and access to, these markets, particularly among people experiencing low income. We’ve compiled the latest information on market locations and times, identified which markets accept SNAP payments, the Maine Harvest Bucks incentive program, which allows SNAP shoppers to receive bonus fruits and vegetables, those that participate in vendors that accept WIC payments, and more.
Click here for a farmers’ market locator map or download the flyer (PDF) for your region (links below):
For more information, or updates or corrections to our farmers’ market regional flyers, email Rachel Emus at Rachel@HealthyAcadia.org or call 207-667-7171 (Hancock County) or Regina Grabrovac at Regina@HealthyAcadia.org or 207-255-3741.
Farmers’ markets are much more than places to buy groceries—they are vital contributors to the fabric of our communities. As we celebrate National Farmers Market Week, let's recognize the tireless work of farmers’ market operators and the collective impact of these markets on our lives.
By supporting our local farmers markets, we contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future for our communities. Together, let's cultivate the love for our markets and embrace the power of community that they bring.