Get to know Blue Hill’s farmers and food producers
WRITTEN BY EMILY BAER
The Blue Hill Peninsula is often associated with boatbuilding, lobsters, and maritime history, but it would be a mistake to not consider its rich agricultural heritage as well. The landscape is dotted with small farms and gardeners who take pride in tending to the land and growing both food and community. Getting to know local food producers in this area is as fun as it is delicious, and there are a lot of different ways to connect.
Farmers
There are dozens of farmers and producers in this area and one of the easiest ways to get a sense of what’s available is to browse the Brooklin Food Corps website. They keep a running list of producers in Brooklin, Blue Hill, Brooksville, Castine, Deer Isle, Orland, Penobscot, Sedgwick, and Stonington. Or, depending on where you’re heading, you’ll pass by a handful of farm stands along the way. Don’t be shy about stopping by. You’re likely to find something delicious, and if you have the good fortune to cross paths with someone there, they can recommend where to go next.
“We try really hard to be good neighbors and help each other out how we can,” said Lorelei Cimeno. Cimeno and her husband own Rainbow Farm in Orland, and when she’s not tending to their land and livestock, she manages the Blue Hill Farmers’ Market.
“Our goal is to increase food access in our community and there are so many good things happening here,” she said. “The peninsula has really deep farming roots and we’re lucky to continue that tradition.”
Happytown Farm’s Angelica Harwood feels much the same. A Colorado transplant, she is a careful steward of land in Orland that has been farmed for over 45 years. She is passionate about connecting customers with local foods and offers workshares for folks who trade their time and hard work for a box of veggies at the end of a shift.
“One of my favorite parts of being a farmer is being able to work, learn, and teach alongside the community members, while providing them with fresh, healthy, nutrient-dense food that has never touched a chemical,” Harwood said. “We need each other more than ever and I feel so grateful for a community that supports its farmers the way the people up here do.”
Blue Hill Co-op
Interest in local foods isn’t just some new fad here. In 1974, a group of dedicated farmers and foodies organized a buying club to make purchasing whole foods, fresh produce, and dairy products more affordable. While the intention wasn’t totally driven by an interest in eating locally, it helped energize the focus on foods grown on the peninsula; a few short years later the club incorporated as the Blue Hill Co-Op. Since then, the co-op has been a hub of local activity and an access point for shoppers who may not otherwise recognize their neighbors as farmers and producers. You’ll notice markers throughout the store indicating where specifically each locally-sourced product is from, especially in the produce and meat and dairy aisles. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask. The staff are generous with their time and enthusiastic about helping customers connect with local vendors.
Farmers Markets
The best way to experiment with local foods is by browsing the offerings at an in-person market. There’s nothing better than being able to chat with the farmer who grew your food. More often than not, there’s at least one booth that has prepared foods on hand so you can munch on a homemade muffin or breakfast sandwich while you shop. The Blue Hill Peninsula boasts a handful of farmers markets throughout the week; you can stock up once or rotate through the different locations over the course of several days.
The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets maintains a list of markets that you can sort by location or by day, and each listing has its own page. It’s a super easy tool to help you find the best options near you and provides helpful information on what you’ll find at each. Visit mainefarmersmarkets.org.
