MaineGeneral Health deserves credit for sponsoring the production of an insightful short film that highlights the hard work of area farmers and emphasizes the value of local farms to our communities, economy and way of life in Maine.

“The Farmers’ Market: Where Your Food Comes From Matters” premiered last month to a full house at the Railroad Square Cinema in Waterville. MaineGeneral’s Joy Leach and others on the staff should be complimented for putting the film together and organizing a successful first showing.

The 30-minute film tells the story of farming in Maine through the words and voices of the people who grow the crops, raise the animals, produce the milk and play other roles in our state’s diverse agricultural sector. Even those familiar with farming likely will gain greater appreciation for the efforts of the individuals who work long hours to put food on our tables.

The film also should change shopping habits. Instead of grabbing any bunch of carrots, bag of apples or head of lettuce in the grocery store, people who take the time to watch the film on the MaineGeneral homepage (www.mainegeneral.org) may be more likely to check where the produce was grown. And they’ll probably do more of their shopping at Maine’s farmers’ markets.

To learn more about the nutritional value of locally produced food and to get a better understanding of why supporting Maine farms is so important, watch “The Farmers’ Market” film, because where our food comes from really does matter.

Doug Dunbar, Hermon