On March 19, 2020, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) released a guidance for farmers’ markets. Farmers’ markets are considered essential services in providing food to their communities. Markets are advised to determine on a case-by-case basis whether to remain open. Markets should stay alert for emerging guidance from the Maine CDC. We […]
Materials needed: Cooler (any clean vessel capable of maintaining hot water for 8-12 hours) Bungee cords or straps (1-3) Soap Paper Towels Hand-sanitizer (if available) Trash bin (a bucket works) Water bin (a bucket works) Fill the cooler with hot water. Use straps or bungee cords to secure it to your truck, or bring a […]
Maine has its first confirmed case of COVID-19. Even before this incident, businesses around the state have been taking extra precautions to limit the risk of spreading this highly communicable virus. Maine has the oldest population in the nation, therefore, the risk of serious harm to Maine citizens is high. Farmers’ markets should be taking […]
UPDATE – Due to the covid-19 crisis, the bag ban does not go into effect until January 15, 2021. The details below outline the requirements for FM’s when the ban goes into effect. For full details of the bag ban – follow this link to the Department of Environmental Protection’s Bag Ban Guidance –The 5 […]
Kala Godard, of Four Hearts Farm, was driving up to an hour each way to various farmers’ markets to sell her farms’ goat cheese and other goat milk products. It was during the long commute, leaving her local community each week to sell in another town, that she began to think about launching a market […]
Let’s navigate the EBT equipment world together. This article addresses the free SNAP EBT Equipment Program and discusses additional options for ineligible markets. All markets that accept SNAP/EBT must possess a machine that processes the EBT transaction. Free Equipment? Free, wireless, SNAP-Only equipment is available via Maine Department of Health & Human Services for farmers’ […]
UPDATE -10.9.2019 – This information is dated. While it still remains a valid way to process SNAP transactions, there are much more convenient and free, or low-cost options available. The best step forward is to contact MFFM – email snap@mffm.org or call (207) 370 1524. If your market is new to accepting SNAP/EBT, or if […]
If you’re looking to purchase EBT equipment for your SNAP program, without the help of a grant to subsidize the cost, then you should fall into one, or ideally all, of these categories: Our market has offered SNAP for years; Our vendors are dedicated to keeping this program sustained; We have enough shoppers using SNAP/EBT […]
Fresh seafood is always very popular at farmers’ markets, but navigating the rules around what is required for licenses/permits can be confusing for market managers. This is because most food safety issues at farmers’ markets are regulated by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) and the Department of Health and Human Service (for […]
Markets that are seeking new vendors may post to our Facebook page, @MaineVendorsWanted. For best results, be sure to include the deadline for application, links to necessary materials, and information about where/when/how long the market takes place.