End of season nearing for Windham Farmers’ Market

Sisters Nola and Georgia Dixon, owners of
Magnolia Flower Company, were on hand
to showcase their wares on Saturday, Sept.
18 at the Windham Farmers' Market.
PHOTO BY COLLETTE HAYES 

By Collette Hayes

The growing season is winding down and the Windham Farmers’ Market will wrap up another successful season on Oct. 2, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still plenty of local fresh produce as well as quality artisan crafts available.

The Windham Farmers’ Market was founded four years ago and is sponsored by Baker Brook Farm Creamery, who generously provides the property for the market and the Windham Economic Development Corporation, whose main goals are to support local farmers, makers and artisans and to promote shopping locally.

Farmers’ Market Coordinator Lisa Fisher said that she was enthusiastic about the response to this year’s market

“We have enjoyed another very successful season,” Fisher said. “The market was founded with the intent of both providing fresh local produce as well as providing an affordable venue for the vendors. In order to call yourself a Farmers’ Market you have to have at least two farmers contributing to the market. At this market there are both organic and regular farmers that have been with us for four years. The shopping community that has developed over the years is delightful. It is simply a very nice place to be.”

Over the years, the market has offered a variety of foods and products grown or created in Maine by people who are committed to their craft and the quality of their results.

“Many of our vendors return to the market each year, but we are always looking for new vendors who have a little bit different product to help diversify,” Fisher said. “For anyone interested in becoming a part of our growing vendor community, in the spring, we will begin taking vendor applications toward the end of March.”

Magnolia Flower Company, owned by Nola and Georgia Dixon, are new to the Windham Farmers’ Market this year and are hoping to return next year. They offer locally grown cut flower bouquets, featuring flowers raised from hand-sown crops in Windham.

“All of our flowers are grown at the Windham community garden,” said Nola Dixon whose personality is as bright and sunny as the flowers she sells. “We sell all of our fresh flowers at the Farmers Market exclusively. We truly look forward to being here every weekend. There is such a great sense of community here. Growing flowers at the community garden is our way of contributing to the town of Windham. Now the community is generously giving back to us by supporting us at the market.”

Sarah Allen, the owner of Fox Run Gifts, has been selling her crafts at the Farmers’ Market for the last four years and has something for every age. According to Allen, it takes her three or four hours to crochet her adorable zip-back baby sweaters. Booties and hand knit mittens are readily available to match.

PH Farms continues to offer eggs, fresh produce, jams, jellies and pickles from their farm in South Paris.

“Our farm is small. It is only 14 acres,” said Mary Miriam, the owner of PH farms. “We are fortunate that everything we grow, we either sell fresh here at the market, or our friend, who owns a commercial kitchen, bottles it for us, and we sell that here as well.”

The final days to shop at the Farmers’ Market for fresh produce and quality crafts for the season will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25 and Saturday, Oct 2. They will end the season with a Harvest Day for children featuring apple cider, pumpkin painting and other fun activities.

The Windham Farmers’ Market can be found off Route 302 and the River Road intersection at the end of Turning Leaf Drive in North Windham. <