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Russell Libby "Impromptu Open Forum" at Farmers Fare
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Monday May 24th 3pm YOU'RE INVITED!!
**TIME HAS CHANGED TO 3PM**
"Impromptu Open Forum with Russell Libby"
Of especial interest to Restaurateurs and Farmers
Russell Libby, Executive Director of MOFGA, and the team at Farmers Fare invite you to participate in a
brainstorm and educational event that is sure to inspire!!
Russell will be discussing the “gap” that exists between the food industry and the farmers of Maine. He will briefly discuss his vision of the partnership and the importance of restaurants joining together to bridge that gap.
Bring your thoughts and concerns – and willingness to interact and network throughout the event.
Teri Thompson-Christie, owner Farmers Fare, and Russell Libby, Executive Director of MOFGA on the deck of Farmers Fare
Please R.S.V.P. to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
With Joy…the Farm Team
(Rockport, ME)
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Farmers Fare is beefing up the locavore economy one school at a time!
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Newsflash! Epic paradigm shift in feeding the children in our schools – starts, and continues, right here in Maine!
The latest update from Farmers Fare on our locavore extraordinaire project providing local beef to local schools continues to grow one school at a time. Originally Camden Rockport Elementary School piloted this program and now we are proud to announce that Lincolnville Central School is joining suit, helping push forward a greener, leaner and more local economy for Midcoast Maine. This will help support the growing national trend of promoting and eating the food whose origin can be quickly and easily traced
back to its source.
The burgers, made from the meat of select local farms and turned into hamburger patties by the on-site butchers at Farmers Fare, will be served regularly at both schools.
Quoted from the Lincolnville School Newsletter “Where’s the Beef? Concerns with the quality of beef we have received lately from the
government commodities program have caused us to change our supplier for the school lunch program. With some help from our friends at Farmers Fare in Rockport we are now using locally grown organic beef in the cafeteria. We are very happy with the change.”
If these two pilot projects are as successful as Farmers Fare suspects they will be other schools in the area are slated to quickly follow suit and help push forward a greener, leaner and more local economy for Midcoast Maine.
Farmers Fare is hoping to promote more local programs like this which will encourage all the citizens of Maine to eat more locally produced foods, with the hope that it will help spread the locavore message nationwide. Russell Libby, executive director of MOFGA, estimates that if every family in Maine spent only $10 a week on locally sourced food the economy of Maine would benefit by over $270 million dollars per year!
The time is here for us to support our local farmers whilst at the same time feeding our children healthy, sustainable food which advances the growth of the local economy!!!
This is the epitome of a locavore economy and it’s all about starting with the BEEF!" Yea from the Farm Team!!
(Rockport, ME)
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Farmers Fare house made yogurt and granola!
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Adam's recent kitchen alchemy!
Adam Bishop, our ever creative Chef at Farmers Fare, recently realized we had an abundance of delicious local milk and decided in his most sensible and frugal manner to change some of this milk to fresh house made yogurt - see picutre left, draining the whey away! THEN to add to this delight Adam made granola worthy of the Gods...this should be called "Ambrosia"...toasted nuts and grains, ginger, raisins and more! The combination of the two is sublime and now it is a staple on our daily breakfast menu.
Bravo Adam!! who is now figuring a 'way' to use the 'whey' in other recipes...full of protein it is good in breads and as an addition to soup stocks. Go Adam GO!!
(Rockport, ME)
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Vermicomposting Class at Farmers Fare
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CANCELLED DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES - will be rescheduled to the Fall, please check back for the date. Our apologies, the Farm Team.
Learn about Vermicomposting from Mark Follansbee at Farmers Fare Friday June 18th at 10:30am $10 fee
Register online, pay on the day! Click
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
to register
Give your garden a boost and reduce your trash?! Composting builds soil and conserves resources. Do you compost in the summer and want to continue during the cold Maine winters, which to say the least can be a challenge, then why not consider indoor composting with worms… a practice known as vermicomposting. Indoor composting with worms is a great solution. Are you new to composting and want to give vermicomposting a try? Learn how to build a worm bin for less than $15 and keep your worm bin trouble-free.
We’ll discuss feeding and monitoring your bin; harvesting and using vermicompost as a soil amendment; and making vermicompost tea. There will be time to answer questions and address rumors and myths about vermicomposting.
Mark Follansbee is a PhD toxicologist and environmental scientist. He has been vermicomposting since 2000 and has been teaching others to vermicompost successfully since 2005 as WormMainea.
Fee for the talk is $10 pre-pay PLEASE REGISTER by either calling 236 3273 or e-mailing
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
so we know how many people to expect, thanks.
You can pre-order a vermicomposting starter kit (Bin plus 1lb of worms) for $35 or 1lb of worms for $20 prior to the class and Mark will bring the items to the class with him. Please pre-pay so Mark knows how many to bring with him. Call 236 3273 to pre-order.
(Rockport, ME)
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Cooking Class with Chef Michael Salmon at Farmers Fare
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RESCHEDULED UNTIL THE FALL...please check back for details.
An evening cooking class with Chef Michael Salmon of the Hartstone Inn, Camden
Farmers Fare will be hosting a cooking class by our friend and excellent Chef, Michael Salmon of the Hartstone Inn in downtown Camden.
Michael has been working in professional kitchens for over 25 years. He was named "Caribbean Chef of the Year" for 1996—1997, while working for the Sonesta Beach Resort Hotel and Casino on the island of Aruba. Michael also was featured in a special section of the USA Today on November 8, 1996. Michael is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and also has a bachelor's degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Resort Management. Michael has been a Chef at many four- and five-star hotels and resorts, including eight years with Hyatt Resort Hotels (Orlando, Palm Springs, Lake Tahoe and Greenwich), Caesar's Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City and three years in Aruba as Executive Chef for the two Sonesta Resort Hotels.
In May of 1998, Michael and his wife Mary Jo (a former Food & Beverage director at the same resorts) purchased the Hartstone Inn and realized their long desired dream of owning and operating their own Inn.
The class will be informative, fun and filled with delicious, local food sourced directly from Farmers Fare.
(Rockport, ME)
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Seedlings arrive at Farmers Fare!!
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The seedlings are in the building, well, actually just outside!!
The following are available:
ALL ORGANIC MOFGA certified from Polly Shyka and Prentice Grassi of Village Farm:
Kale
Brussels Sprouts
Cauliflower
Arugula
Lettuce
Broccoli
Chard
Onions and Chives
Oregano, Sage, Thyme
....and for Mother's Day, Viola's
(Rockport, ME)
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Seeds are sprouting at Farmers Fare
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Gardening news from Emily, our resident green thumb!
I have started a "Very Small Kitchen Garden" up by the
chicken coop. It’s 4’ x 4’, and it’s currently got peas, broccoli, radicchio, lettuce, leeks, and cabbages. I will add radishes, scallions, more lettuce, cukes, beans and herbs All varieties are “dwarf” or compact—bred to take up little space. The cucumbers and beans can climb.
Next to the fence up by the chickens are nine varieties of greens:
Tom Thumb Baby Bibb Lettuce
Quarantina Raab
Really Red Deer Tongue Lettuce
Arugula
Catalogna Radichetta
Sylvetta Arugula
Michelle Batavian Lettuce
Lollo di Vino Lettuce
Speckled Amish Bibb Lettuce
In the fields, several perennial crops are growing: asparagus, three strawberry beds, sunchokes, and garlic planted last fall (five varieties).
In addition, three varieties of peas (if they survive the continuous chicken onslaught), two varieties of spinach, fava beans, parsley (flat and curly), two kinds of Brussels sprouts, two kinds of broccoli, two kinds of cabbages. The brassica are all under floating row cover.
I am going to weed the greenhouse next week and I also have things ready to go in at the beginning of next week: Belgian endive, radicchio, leeks, and onions.
The children from CHRHS Spectrum Program and the CRMS Prism Program planted two potato varieties last Friday morning and on May 14th Hope School third graders will plant the same. We are also aiming for the children of the Star Program to get planting out there too.
(Rockport, ME)
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Some thoughts from Teri Thompson-Christie
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 Teri and Russell Libby (Executive Director of MOFGA) enjoying lunch on the deck at Farmers Fare.
"*please feel the JOY to pass this on!*
Hi to All !!
Upon hearing this, I HAD to share:):
Re: Farmers Fare-Going and Growing!!
I can't, and wouldn't, say anything regarding any of your past negative experiences with the "chosen industry" (FOOD), however, I do NOT think/feel it is appropriate, or fair, to view Farmers Fare as just: "another retail/food business" either!!
So having said that, I would challenge any/all traditional, and historical, "data and opinions" surrounding any forecast, for future "FOOD commerce", accordingly!! It is the foundation and development of "Food Systems", and there is an ever-increasing amount of people-- ( aka- HUGE SHIFT), in wanting/NEEDING to know "WHERE our food comes from"???!!!
What I DO know is that I/we/FF IS making a difference and as "tiny as that seems in your world", it's HUGE in the world I, and many others choose to live in re: "LOCAL sustainability"! All you need to do is open a newspaper, turn on your TV and/or look at all recent "Titles" of non-fiction, on every bookstore shelf, across the USA and beyond!!! In this case, I will refer to England...
Last Thursday, I had the honor and pleasure of spending a couple of hours with a friend and happens to be the President of MOFGA (Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association), Russell Libby. who by anyone's "standards" is a genius in understanding "food systems", and how they are evolving! He shared some unbelievable "events", both by force of nature, or just a need to change!! This only further demonstrates "today's reality": we need to go back to our "LOCAL resources" on every level, with "food systems" being a NEED and no longer a "choice"!!
Still not "feeling it"??? Well, then, read on...:) !!!
Here is the best, and most current example:
We are a world, smaller than 6 degrees of separation, especially where our "human needs/resources" are concerned!!
The example:
This recent act of Mother Nature, a volcano erupting, in Iceland, has practically paralyzed the entire "FOOD SYSTEM" of Great Britain....and WHY?? It was some years ago, when England, as a growing industrialized country, made the decision to increase their population with more people who then "crowded" land that HAD been utilized to grow food (aka- "local food"), and some "experts" with power in the food chain, determined that England would be better off, in more ways than just "economical", if they turned over the land for most ALL of their "natural agricultural resources" (aka- farmland), to another place where they could get the "same resource/food" from land that was available, accessible, and CHEAP: Kenya, Africa!!
They then began importing all of these foods to England, thus utilizing their own massive land areas, to build industrial facilities, which would generate more MONEY, per square foot, per day, by less man-hours!! Brilliant, right???? NOT!!!!!!
Now, many, too many, years later, as Mother Nature does what she does, at random..., a volcano erupts in Iceland...!!!!
WHO CARES???
Well, the British DO!!! Furthermore, this predicament, or more accurately, CRISIS, is solely due to the inability to import/ transport (airplanes) the very FOODS they live and thrive on every day....but canNOT have due to pollution caused by a volcano erupting in a place that very few could even locate on a map!!!!
So, unfortunately, a volcano, in "Never, Never land"- (aka- Iceland), has now experienced an "unexpected natural disaster" which has, literally, shaken-up the entire country's (England) food supply systems......
NO PLANES = NO FOOD!!!
On top of that, is the absolute "shock and reality", that they,(British populous), didn't even KNOW that these foods, they consume every day, ARE NOT "LOCAL", in a BIG way!!!!
That's all I will say for the moment as this speaks for itself!!!!
Thank You for caring enough to read to this last word:)!!
CHANGE is not a "bad thing"!!! :)
I hope somebody cares enough to reply and/or pass this on!! I will be
Thank you!!!"
Teri Thompson-Christie
Farmers Fare
(Rockport, ME)
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Green Drinks Rockport Sunday May 2nd
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Third Green Drinks Rockport
Sunday May 2nd 1pm to 4pm
EVERYONE welcome!!
Our first Green Drinks gatherings were fun and encouraging. Please join us for our next and bring your thoughts, information, ideas and a smile. We will have a solar oven demo on the deck, weather permitting.
FYI if you are new to the concept of Green Drinks:
No this isn't about green beer and St. Patty's, it's about meeting your like minded neighbors to socialize, discuss, network, express concern or delight about the environment and it's related issues.
These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, done deals and had moments of serendipity. It's a force for the good and we'd like to help it spread to other cities. We at Farmers Fare are now the official GREEN DRINKS Rockport, the next nearest 'node' is in Portland.
This is a monthly event please check back here for info on the next event if you aren't able to make this one...thanks!!
For more info on Green Drinks worldwide click HERE
For more info on this event contact
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(Rockport, ME)
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Farmers Fare helps support Maine Coast TV community television!
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 EVERY Friday is "Friday? Pieday!" at Farmers Fare.
Join us at Farmers Fare for YUMMY “Friday? Pieday!” to benefit Maine Coast TV.
Starting April 23 and continuing on each Friday, Farmers Fare will be hosting "Friday? Pieday!" as a benefit for Maine Coast TV, Community Television for Knox County.
The pies are yummy, made fresh in the kitchen of Farmers Fare from some of the best local ingredients available. They're only $2 per slice, with half of that amount going to help support Maine Coast TV, Community Television.
Farmers Fare is all about supporting our community. According to Teri Thompson-Christie, owner of Farmers Fare. “We believe in bringing people together to share food, stories, knowledge and information. Farmers Fare believes in supporting our local farmers and keeping our farmers on their farms, with over 200 local farms and local vendors represented in our marketplace and in our restaurant. And Farmers Fare believes in supporting local schools, artisans, artists and musicians, and such community organizations as Maine Coast TV.”
And Maine Coast TV is also about community and sharing stories, knowledge and information. “With its dedication to community in more ways than you can imagine, Farmers Fare is the perfect partner for Maine Coast TV. We’re Channel 7, going to Knox County Time-Warner homes in Camden, Rockport, Rockland, Thomaston, South Thomaston, St. George, Warren, and Owls Head. Our programming consists of shows you won’t see on commercial stations…shows about our community, our environment, and our world, produced by volunteers in our community and from community stations around the world.”, says Craig Mathieson, Program Director of Maine Coast TV.
Come on over and get your delicious pie this first "Friday? Pieday!" If you can't make it this Friday then come on another Friday...see you there the Farm Team!!
For more information on Maine Coast TV click HERE(Rockport, ME)
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