RANGELEY — There were over a dozen vendors at the Downtown Farmers Market Thursday, June 26. Colorful canopies filled the Depot Street parking as shoppers carefully selected their favorites from vendors peddling fresh baked goods, seedlings, jewelry and more.
The market attracts unique repeat vendors from across Franklin County and beyond. Although there was plenty of early season produce to be had, there were plenty of other goods, common and uncommon, offered for sale. There was locally raised beef and pork from Sillanpaa Family Farm in New Vineyard; scones from Just Desserts Bakery in Rangeley; ‘woofie’ pie dog treats from Aspen’s Pawtisserie in Rangeley, birch syrup from Temple Tappers of Temple; dehydrated sourdough starter from Blessed Hands Homestead in Farmington; and so much more.
Here are five fabulous finds from the Downtown Farmers Market.
Lemon macarons from Katie Bakes of Rangeley
A delightfully light summer treat. The melt-in-your-mouth meringue is packed with luscious lemon flavor. Baker Katie Emerson makes custom cakes, flavor of the month focaccia, sourdough breads, desserts, cookies, muffins and more. In the summer, she can be found at the farmers market. In the winter, she sets up shop at Saddleback. Find her on Instagram @katie_bakes_207.
A four pack of lemon macarons did not make it home.
Sun-dried shiitake from Hemlock Hill Farm in New Vineyard
While the flavor of fresh mushrooms are usually preferred, rehydrated shiitake can give soups, stews, gravies and Asian dishes a burst of palate-pleasing flavor. Jeremy Drolet of Hemlock Hill Farm noted the mushroom is typically sold in Asian cultures in its dried form. Americans prefer it fresh, he added. The fungi farmer had a variety of fresh gourmet mushrooms and inoculated grow-your-own mushroom kits for sale. According to the farm’s website, Hemlock Hill Farm focuses on cultivating a wide selection of gourmet and medicinal mushrooms, fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, microgreens, and more. For more information, visit hemlockhill.farm or find Hemlock Hill Farm on Facebook.
A gentle greeting from Georgie the Farm Dog was a bonus.
Beach Bum Mineral Cream from Rural Root Apothecary in Salem Township
Megan Orcutt of Rural Root Apothecary thoughtfully crafts herbal products in small batches using organic oils, whole herbs, unrefined butters and local beeswax. Her line includes lip balms, salves, sugar scrubs, body butters and herbal tea blends. The mineral cream is meant to nourish skin before, during and after sun exposure. She noted the product was not meant as a replacement for sunscreen. Ingredients include organic non-nano zinc oxide and aloe vera gel, which help make skin feel soft, nourished and protected. For more information, find Rural Root Apothecary on Facebook or visit ruralrootapothecary.square.site.
Kimchi from Dreamin’ Fahm in Wilton
Good kimchi can be hard to find in rural regions but there it was, nestled between the goat cheese, feta and yogurt. The fermented vegetables can be used as a spicy topping for burgers. It can be added to soups, eaten as a side dish or used as the main ingredient in kimchi fried rice. Dreamin’ Fahm is a dairy and creamery, so finding kimchi among the offerings was a pleasant surprise. Faith Jones of Dreamin’ Farm also had elderberry syrup and Happy Goat Milk Lotion for sale. For more information, visit thedreaminfahm.com or find Dreamin Fahm on Facebook.
Rubber ducks from Rangeley Health and Wellness
Rubber ducks are not a typical farmers market find but these ducks are special. They are the stars of the annual RHW Duck Race fundraiser. The ducks will swim from Haley Pond to Rangeley Lake via the dam and sluiceway near Pine Tree Frosty as part of Rangeley’s July 3rd celebration. While they will not be available at the Downtown Farmer’s Market again this year, the numbered ducks are on sale right up until 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 3. Shortly after, the ducks will race from the pond to the lake. The fastest ducks win a prize. Adopt a duck or a flock, $5 per duck, at pop-up sites throughout the Rangeley area and at RHW’s Fitness Center front desk, 25 Dallas Hill Rd. Lucky numbers are assigned at the time of adoption.
The Downtown Farmers Market is held on Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Depot Street parking lot. For this week only, the Thursday Downtown Farmers Market will take place Friday, July 4. The change is due to the July 3rd festivities scheduled throughout town on Thursday.
Be sure to also visit the South Shore Drive Farmers Market on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The market is held in the lot at the corner of Route 17 and South Shore Drive.
