Cool, cloudy weather and ongoing utility construction may have slowed turnout for the second weekly Boothbay Farmers Market on Thursday, May 25 but did not dampen prospects for the summer to come.
“Embrace it, because it is going to be beautiful,” said Market President Dan Sortwell of the eventual reconstruction of the Common and traffic interchange.
On Thursday, construction of sewer lines blocked the normal entrance to the municipal parking lot and Common Drive but Sortwell said he was hopeful the bulk of the construction will be completed by the end of June when most of the market customers arrive.
“The first few markets are always slow,” said Sortwell, the roastmaster for Big Barn Coffee in Wiscasset. Sortwell said the market peaks in July and August with the arrival of summer visitors and harvesting of new vegetable crops.
Jan Goranson of Goranson Farms in Dresden said the wet, cool weather had slowed the planting season. “Asparagus and rhubard have been good,” said Gorganson. Her stand displayed a variety of root vegetables, greens and flower sets.
Tom and Tracy Penniman, owners of Pemaquid Lobster and Seafood in New Harbor, said current shellfish prices are high but the two continue to attend Farmers’ Markets from Bath to Belfast.
Unaffected by the weather were the variety of stalls that sell non-perishable food items including bread, cheese, meat and preserved condiments.
Matt Went of Tarbox Farm on Westport Island said the owners are exploring the idea of starting a microbrewery specializing in limited production of high end brews. “We are looking for quality,” said Went.
Sandra Dwight-Barris said it was the anniversary for Grey Goose Gourmet of Wayne and her sale of a line of pepper jellies. Since 2014, she has attended three weekly farmers’ markets and 45 festivals.
When the season is fully engaged, expect to see the 30 members of the market present on Thursdays from 9 a.m. until noon on the Common. The market is a member of the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce and the Maine Federation of Farmers Markets.
