Eat Maine Foods!

Avery Yale Kamila
  • 37, Female
  • Portland, Maine
  • United States
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Looking for alternative caterers

Started Dec. 8, 2009

Do you hunt as a source of local meat?
2 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by Argyle Acres Oct. 21, 2009.

 

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Portland Winter Market off to a busy start

The new indoor Portland Winter Market opened this morning to huge crowds. I heard from one of the vendors that shoppers started trickling in at least a half an hour ahead of opening time. You'll find a number of familiar faces from the Portland Farmers Market - including Freedom Farm, Thirty Acre Farm, Fishbowl Farm (above), Lalibela Farm and Sumner Valley Farm - plus a number of vendors new to the city.

The organizers of this market - who also organize the indoor winter market in Brunswick - have had a rough go trying to meet all of Portland's regulations and licensing requirements. Four vendors, including organizer Mother Oven Bakery, who intended to be part of the market couldn't get approval to be there today. Their exclusion happened after the city gave the organizers 24 hours notice that certain vendors would have to set up in the space yesterday for a health inspection. A coffee roaster that couldn't get city approval is there, but instead of selling coffee, the vendor is handing out free samples.

I'm hoping things can be worked out so everyone can be there next Saturday. Judging by the crowds, it seems clear that Portlanders want year-round access to local food.

The market runs every Saturday until the end of April from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 85 Free St.

Organic eats at the Common Ground Fair

A fabulous cocktail party Friday night (thanks David, Vanessa and Lauren!) delayed our departure last Saturday morning for the 33rd annual Common Ground Country Fair. But eventually Adam and I hit the road for Unity, a tiny college and farming town in the central part of the state.

The celebration of natural living always draws a big crowd, and the day we showed up so did 26,000 others. We all wanted to check out such things as the state's only organic farmers market, the renewable energy demonstrations and the angora bunnies and pygmy goats.

Without a doubt, the food court is the biggest attraction at the fair. The walkways along the concession booths were jam packed throughout our visit. By closing time many stands had run out of popular items.

The fair's vendors use local and organic ingredients whenever possible, and the emphasis is on freshly prepared whole foods. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free offerings abound, without forgetting fair staples including organic fried dough and locally grown french fried potatoes.

I snapped these photos of a few of the booths we sampled from:













Even with food everywhere and more than 700 talks and performances, my favorite thing about the fair continues to be finding myself surrounded by natural foodies as far as the eye can see.

Latest Activity

Avery Yale Kamila is now friends with David Homa and Darren Allen
February 22
Avery Yale Kamila added a discussion
I'm writing a column for next week's Food & Dining section of the Portland Press Herald that will feature caterers who offer party food that differs from the standard fare of bacon-wrapped scallops and beef teriyaki. I'm looking for Maine companies…
December 8, 2009
Yes, I do.
October 21, 2009
i have hunted (for food not sport) since i have been able to hold a bow. It is a long tradition in our family. In many ways we see it as not only a way to obtain local meet, but to move back into a life style that is more in sync with the rhythm of…
October 20, 2009
Avery Yale Kamila added a discussion
I'm diving into the often controversial topic of hunting and looking at how this can be a legitimate source of local meat. I plan to write a column exploring the subject for the Press Herald. I’m looking for Mainers who hunt as a way to source local…
October 20, 2009
September 14, 2009
Welcome to the conversation about how we, the people of Maine, can take cooperative action to sustainably grow as much of our food within Maine as possible - for our environment, our economy & for our health!
September 14, 2009
For discussing issues around farmers' markets in Maine, for veterans, newbies, those in between and those thinking about starting or attending a farmers' market. Start by signing up or signing in to ask a question by starting a discussion.
September 14, 2009

Profile Information

Where in Maine do you live and eat?
Portland
What issues are you and/or your group interested or expert in?
farmland protection, organics, health and nutrition, food justice, farm to school, school gardens, home gardens, community gardens, food and faith, hunger and local foods access, farm to institution, farm to restaurant, CSAs, farmers' markets, local foods marketing and distribution, food coops, GM-free seeds and genetics
If you produce foods of some sort, please choose one of the following:
I produce foods only for my own and my family's consumption
Other info about Me (please mention any food, fishing, agriculture, or community groups you are affiliated with):
I grew up on an organic farm and write about local food every week in my Natural Foodie column which appears in the Wednesday Portland Press Herald. I can never get enough of the amazing flavor of Maine-grown food! Email me at akamila@pressherald.com or call me at 791-6297. I'm always looking for information to share with our readers about new natural food businesses and upcoming food-related events.
Website (if any):
http://www.communetestedcityapproved.blogspot.com/
Website 2 (if any):
http://www.mainetoday.com/blog/category/blogs/maine-today-blogs/por...

Comment Wall (4 comments)

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At 3:52pm on August 29, 2009, Connie Otero said…
Hi Avery, I've been enjoying your blog this past year. I've got it listed under the blog roll on my page. Congratulations on your column...looking forward to keeping up with that too. Thanks for giving me your view of Portland.
Continued success,
Connie
At 12:55pm on December 22, 2008, Marsha Dawson said…
Avery, hi,
The Portland kitchen is rather expensive. I went to Pineland Farms and the previous mgr dismissed me out of hand. The next mgr was better but his su-perior said that couldn't happen at this time . . . ? The best comm kitchen so far for price and equipment, e.g. ovens, is the one at Unity. It's just $50/day and that day runs from 4A-11P! Problem is I'd need to be living there to make it feasible.
Oh, and the one at Dragonfly Cove Farm is too expensive too.

Enjoy the season, Marsha
At 1:33pm on August 20, 2008, Marsha Dawson said…
Hi Avery,
Yep, I am looking for something closer. I had a look at the Portland one--"ask for the 'cheese-lady'" I was told. AND, funnily enough, I went to Pineland Farms Market yesterday with some samples of my humous (however it's spelled) and bread. They know I'm looking for a commercial kitchen but didn't say anything. Either, it didn't occur to them or their kitchen is too busy. Please don't let all this negativity put you off. Your suggestions could have been useful. In the meantime, I'm going to Dragonfly Cove FArm, Marge Kilkenny's place, to see her kitchen.
Thanks, Marsha
At 5:46pm on March 5, 2008, Local Sprouts Cooperative said…
Avery,
We'd love to talk to you about doing an article on Local Sprouts Cooperative Catering. Our mission is to provide creative local and organic food to people and non-profit organizations in Maine and to Grow opportunities for youth, elders and immigrants to holistically learn through cooking food for our community.
in food, Jonah Local Sprouts 899-9607
 
 

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I guess I'll chime in. Lakes Region Farmers' Market in Windham will be opening on May 1. Anyone interested in joining email Karen@motherherbmaine.com
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Alison LePage updated an event
Eat Local Foods Coalition Meeting at Brunswick Public Library - Seminar Room
March 29, 2010 from 9:45am to 12pm
ELFC is a coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to supporting Maine's food producers and promoting and expanding access to locally grown food. For phone conference options email elfcmaine@yahoo.com
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We are currently still looking for meat and diary vendors. Email sweethollowsfarm@gmail.com or call Laura 926-5919. Thanks.
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Laura Campbell added a discussion
Hi everyone,  We are starting a rather large community garden at Opportunity Farm in New Gloucester. Any and all volunteers are most welcome as well as any tips. Half the garden will go towards the Plant-A-Row program and our local 'veggie connectio…
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I have the list and am on it! Just thought I would check in - Thanks!
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Meadow Ridge Perennial Farm - and anyone else - what farmers markets open in May? Any in eastern Maine? Thanks!
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