Winthrop Grange leaders, farmers and town officials hope starting a farmers market in downtown Winthrop will help bring farmers out of the shadows where they and their operations can grow.

They also hope it will help bring people to downtown Winthrop and grow community as shoppers connect with the people who grew, raised or produced the food and other agricultural items they buy.

“If you don’t have a farmstand or storefront, you’re kind of in the shadows,” said Kyle Vorpagel, who, with his wife, Kali, run Flouring Roots Bakery & Farm out of their Wayne home and farm. “A farmers market is a good way to bring people new products. And you’re going to get a much healthier product, you’re supporting a small business, and getting a small-batch, healthier product that hasn’t gone through the wringer of corporations.”

Vorpagel said they sell a wide range of sourdough bread products and fruit from trees and bushes on their spread at the Wayne farmers market already, and plan to become vendors at the new Winthrop farmers market when it’s expected to open on Memorial Day weekend.

Kathy Ward, master of the Winthrop Grange No. 209, said Grange members wanted to start a farmers market because the area has plenty of farmers and it’s something everybody could use. They decided to host it downtown instead of at the Old Lewiston Road hall. They hope it will draw people to downtown businesses, and those who live nearby will be able to walk to it.

“We’re not looking to make money, we’re looking to help the community,” Ward said, noting the $5 or so fee they’ll charge vendors will help offset the costs of running the market. “The Grange works for the community, along with the farmers, and we felt it was really an essential thing for the community, and everybody will benefit from it.”

Winthrop town councilors unanimously endorsed letting the new farmers market use the municipal parking lot at Main and Union streets. The high-visibility spot bordered by Sully’s Tavern and the post office also is used for the annual Winthrop Sidewalk Art Festival. Councilors also voted to cover the $500–$600 liability insurance cost.

Town Manager Anthony Wilson noted resurrecting a farmers market was a priority in the last update to the town’s comprehensive plan as something that could help revitalize the downtown area.

“A key to downtown revitalization is having something to attract people downtown and certainly a farmers market would do that,” Wilson said.

Kelsey Kobik, who handles communications for the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets, said some 50 years of the farm-to-table movement has raised the profile, popularity and awareness of farmers markets.

“More farmers are finding a viable career in farmers markets,” Kobick said. “It’s a straightforward way to build a customer base and capture a full retail margin for all their work, not a lower wholesale price.”

Key ingredients for a successful farmers market include having vendors who build good relationships with their customers and each other, good product variety that allows customers to check off most of their grocery list, a good location with plenty of parking and a layout that makes it easier for vendors to load in and set up, and effective social media and advertising, Kobick said.

Surveys show the most important draw for customers is farmers that grow an abundance of vegetables, Kobick said.

The Grange’s Ward said she initially and unexpectedly struggled to find a vegetable farmer to join vendors at the new market but has since connected with Todd Chretien, of Fair Share Farm Maine in Wayne, who plans to sell organic vegetables and a few fresh fruits at the market.

Chretian endorsed the fledgling market.

“I think it’s an excellent idea, because farmers are an important part of our local economy and people all over the state deserve access to local, healthy food,” Chretien said. “Too many of our kids don’t have access to affordable, healthy food. So, providing alternatives like a farmers market is not only good business but part of good health.”

Chretien said it’s hard for local vegetable farms to survive, as they’re pressured by competition from big agricultural corporations that send food all over the world at the same time they’re dealing with cuts in federal Department of Agriculture programs, cuts that have hurt small farms.

Chretien currently sells his certified organic vegetables at farmers markets in Wayne and Belgrade. Some customers pick up vegetables at Fair Share Farm Maine, and the farm delivers foods to members of its community supported agriculture program in the Riverton and Deering neighborhoods in Portland.

Ward said she’s still looking for vendors to provide dairy and additional meat producers to round out the market. The market will focus upon agricultural-based vendors, and is not looking for crafters.

Market hours are planned for 2-6 p.m. Thursdays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Ward said she could consider a different day if Thursday doesn’t work out. That day was selected in part to avoid having the market on the same day as other markets in the region.

Kyle Vorpagel said they look forward to selling their goods at the new Winthrop market.

“The community needs to get back to having a localized grocery staple option,” he said. “Winthrop is a big enough community that it should have a farmers market.”

Winthrop had a farmers market previously that started downtown and moved to a couple of different locations, but the market fizzled out.

Currently, Maine has more than 130 farmers markets, according to the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets.