Portland farmers’ market booming in new location

PORTLAND — Farmers at the Portland market — the nation’s second oldest — say their new downtown location at Monument Square is the key to skyrocketing sales and what appears to be a solid business foothold.

The 222-year-old farmers’ market moved from its previous location in front of the federal courthouse to Monument Square, one of Portland’s busiest blocks, two months ago. The market, which features about 20 area farmers’ fresh fruits and vegetables, is held twice a week in separate locations.

“I think we’ve finally secured the farmers’ market by having it here on Wednesdays and in Deering Oaks on Saturdays,” said Robin Beckwith, president of the Portland Farmers’ Market and owner of the Range Pond Farm in Gray. “It was very rocky for a while. Business was down and we weren’t located in the best place down on Federal Street.”

Most farmers at the market report increases in sales ranging from 30 percent to 500 percent. Beckwith and several others say they bring in between $175 to $300 a day.

Farmers are optimistic about their profits this year despite the increase in the minimum wage and the rising costs of pesticides and fertilizers.

“We’ve done fantastically” since the move, said Robert Dobson, the only organic farmer at the Portland market. “There’s been a 500 percent difference.”

Accessibility is also helping the market gain momentum.

“People are enjoying the market more because it’s in a more accessible location. It’s just better for everybody,” said Frank Beckwith, Robin Beckwith’s father-in-law and owner of Beckwith Farms of Yarmouth.

“Some people didn’t even know we were two streets away before we came here and we see them each week now,” he added.

State officials say Maine’s 23 farmers’ markets help the state economy.

“Not only buying Maine goods, but by keeping the land open and fertile, the farmers contribute to the look of the state,” said Judy Powell, a marketing specialist in the Maine Department of Agriculture.

“Without the small-scale operations — farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and pick-your-own farms — our rural character would be lessened. They are a major contribution to our tourism,” Powell said.

Mainers and out-of-staters alike are attracted to the ambiance of the open-air markets and the freshness of the fruits and vegetables, Powell said.

“The number of markets is increasing, too. It may be one or two markets per year, but there are more of them popping up rather than more of them closing down,” she said, adding that several markets had recently opened in Waterville, Winthrop and Augusta.