Eating Local Foods in Maine
Are you tired of travel-weary foods that have lost much of their taste and nutrition and waste precious energy through long-distance travel? You’re in the right state to find fresh and tasty Maine-made options.
Maine is at the forefront of the national “locavore” movement—in which people are seeking out wholesome foods grown and produced close by. With more than 70 farmers’ markets and hundreds of food producers throughout the state, it isn’t hard to locate fresh produce, dairy products, meats, honey, syrup, seafood, baked goods and other treats.
Finding a Farmer’s Market or Other Local and Natural Foods
Maine’s “Get Real, Get Maine” site allows you to search by product and county to find a food producer near you. You can also search for the most convenient farmers’ market locations.
If you’re interested in organic products, whether from a farm or retail store, check the Maine Organic Farmer’s and Gardener’s Association
Looking for Restaurants that Rely on Local Foods?
There’s no comprehensive list of restaurants and eateries in Maine that rely heavily on local foods, but many of the State-certified Environmental Leader restaurants do. Many fine restaurants and inns in Maine make this commitment now simply because they want to provide the highest quality, best-tasting food to their guests. Don’t hesitate to ask the wait staff or management about the source of their food and how much is purchased locally.
Looking to Grow Your Own?
Consider purchasing seeds from one of Maine’s reputable and customer-friendly companies – which offer great catalogs and online purchasing.
Fedco, based in Waterville, specializes in untreated, organic and heirloom seeds, trees, and bulbs. This cooperative hosts an annual tree sale in early May where people can collect pre-ordered plants, as well as purchase seeds and plants “off the shelf.”
Johnny’s Selected Seeds, located in Albion and Winslow, provides mail-order seeds (and a few plants) to home gardeners and small commercial growers. The site allows you to search by category of products – such as “organic” or “heirloom.”
Pinetree Garden Seeds, based in New Gloucester, sells a wide variety of seeds for home gardeners that have been tested in Maine gardens.
