Please help keep our farmers and shoppers safe and wear a face covering while shopping at the farmers’ market. Per CDC guidelines, and Governor Janet Mills Executive Order #55, farmers’ market vendors and customers are required to wear cloth face coverings unless an individual has a medical exemption. CLOTH FACE COVERINGS In addition to the […]
Best Practices
Maine Farmers’ Markets Adapt to Serve Their Communities
June 4, 2020 CategoriesThe spring farmers’ market season is underway in Maine. Maine’s farmers’ markets are opening for the season and proactively responding to the Covid-19 public health emergency. The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets (MFFM) reports that farmers’ markets are changing their physical layouts, locations, market rules, sanitation measures, and social norms to keep the public and […]
Webinar on Vendor Practices during Covid-19
May 1, 2020 Categories
Farmers’ Markets have dramatically changed their layout and rules to fall in line with the Governor’s emergency declarations and the Maine Department of Agriculture’s guidance for farmers’ markets. This webinar is an orientation for Maine farmers’ market vendors to learn what best practices they must be following. Topics covered include: Pre-ordering, booth setup, payment processing, […]
COVID-19 Update – Guidance from State officials
March 19, 2020 Categories
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. Read […]
Hand-washing stations – A simple how to
March 19, 2020 CategoriesMaterials 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 […]
COVID-19 and Maine farmers’ markets
March 17, 2020 CategoriesMaine 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 […]
Single-Use Plastic Carry-out Bag Ban and Farmers Markets
February 27, 2020 CategoriesUPDATE – 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 […]
With just 5 weeks of planning, a farmers’ market blossoms in Waterboro
October 4, 2019 Categories
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 […]
EBT Equipment Options for your Farmers’ Market
October 10, 2018 CategoriesLet’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’ […]
Low-tech and no-cost methods for accepting EBT
October 10, 2018 CategoriesUPDATE -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 […]