In any given week, there are more than a hundred farmers’ markets across the state offering fresh fruits, vegetables and meats directly from the farm. The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets (MFFM) is a statewide organization that helps sustain Maine farms, connects farmers to markets and widens access to locally grown food for Maine residents and tourists alike.
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry took initial steps to organize a farmers’ market association beginning in the late 1980s. In the spring of 1991, farmers’ market members from a number of key markets pulled together and officially organized MFFM.
Today, the organization keeps a listing of these fresh and nutritious happenings on their website. Some of the larger markets opened in May, but all will be operating in earnest next month as early crops begin to mature. Some of the markets on MFFM’s site also accept SNAP and WIC benefits. To see the complete list of farmers’ markets across the state as well as those that accept SNAP and WIC, visit the Federation’s website.