Jul. 1—Gray’s annual farmers market kicked off on June 29. Organizer Rachel Lyn Rumson said the market originated in 2020. Rumson, then a member of Gray’s Economic and Community Development Committee, had done an agricultural survey of all the farms in the region, and hoped to promote local food systems as part of an economic development agenda.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Rumson conceived the idea of the farmers market as a way for Gray residents to become more aware of farms and agricultural producers in the area, as well as a way for farmers to survive the pandemic socially and economically. The market currently has about half a dozen participating farms and businesses.
Rumson was also at the market herself, selling her fresh homemade hand pies. She told Lakes Region Now that, while she currently bakes all the pies at home, she is also looking for investors to help her scale up to a commercial kitchen.
Tom Esty of Human Nature of Maine was one of the original vendors and sells body products, candles and laundry soap, among other items. Esty, who is currently in the process of relocating to Cumberland, noted how far the market had come from its inaugural edition, which featured lots of masks and social distancing.
Hemlock Hill Farm, which specializes in mushrooms and fruit plants, is run by Jeremy Drolet and Amy Fris, and is split between Gray and Drolet’s property in New Vineyard. He has been growing mushrooms for 10 years and has been operating his current nursery for four. Drolet said he uses his nursery to grow foods that are hardy and native to the area, saying that, unlike most commercial seed plants, which were originally grown in warmer climates, everything on his farm is raised in the cold weather of Maine.
Karl Schatz, patriarch of Ten Apple Farm, was at the farmers market with his family. He described his farm as a diversified family homestead and agritourism business, which raises dairy goats and leads people on hikes with them. Goat products offered include cheeses, yogurt, as well as foreign foods such as Middle Eastern labneh and Mexican cajeta. Schatz talked about the importance of the market to the community, saying that every community should have a farmers market as a way for residents to get to know local farmers and see where their food comes from.
Other participants at the market included local musician Mike Joyce, as well as representatives of Gray-New Gloucester High School’s 4-H Club.
The farmers market will be held every Sunday until Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Village Green Park. Regarding the future of the market, Rumson said if it ever outgrows the current location, it would move to the front of the Henry Pennell Municipal Complex. As of now, however, since it hasn’t breached the former space’s 10-vendor cap, there are no plans to move.
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