Camden Farmers’ Market
Now in its 51st season, the Camden Farmers Market is one of the oldest markets in the state. Every Saturday morning from May through October, Tannery Park fills with neighbors catching up, kids on the swing by the creek, and shoppers weaving through booths with baskets of bread, berries, and organic vegetables.
Market president Molly Gray says that longevity comes from passion. “Everyone is so dedicated to the quality of their product. It’s completely local, grown in Maine, and part of the tradition of working the land and the seasons. We produce so much here, from grains and maple syrup to blueberries, that you can almost eat an entirely Maine diet.”
The food is reason enough to go. Brazen Baking draws one of the biggest crowds for their sourdough breads, pretzels, and cardamom buns made with Maine grains. Hubbard Brook Farm’s peaches, cherries, raspberries, and blueberries are always a highlight of summer. Other standouts include Grace Pond Farm with their pasture-raised meats and milk, Sweet Monkey Business with its shortbread cookies, and vendors selling mushrooms, salmon, honey, maple syrup, flowers, and native plants.
Going to the Camden Farmers’ Market is no ordinary grocery trip. For many locals, it’s a Saturday ritual. “When you’re at your booth, it’s like a little stage,” Molly says. “As vendors, we get to see neighbors reconnecting, kids playing, dogs that all know each other. It’s really about community.”
The market runs every Saturday from 9a to noon at Tannery Park from early May through the end of October. Bring a tote bag (or a picnic basket a la Patrisha McLean) and spend a morning here. You’ll leave with fresh food for the week, a few gifts for the pantry, and a deeper connection to this place.
FAMOUS FOR:
Beyond the great vendors? It's the community atmosphere: kids playing, dogs greeting each other, neighbors catching up, and the green, open-air gathering spot at Tannery Park.
ADDRESS:
116 Washington Street in Camden, ME
WEBSITE:
camdenfarmersmarket.org
photos by Isaac Remsen
