Agri-Business Trade Fair to Showcase Local Growers and Producers

You may be aware that Aroostook County produces more than just potatoes – with broccoli, grains, hops, cattle and more contributing to our diverse agricultural products.

But, did you know there are dozens of small farms and food producers making everything from ployes to pork chops, coffee to cookies and everything in between scattered throughout The County?  Get ready for an opportunity to sample some of these unique local flavors being produced right here in our own backyard at the all new Specialty Foods Sample Space during the 37^th annual Northern Maine Agri-Business Trade Fair March 25^th and 26^th at the Forum in Presque Isle!

The Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce has worked hard scouring every corner of the County to find an interesting mix of food producers to take part in this first of its kind event in Northern Maine.

“We have seen an explosion in interest in locally grown and sourced products in other parts of Maine, with restaurants and food festivals helping connect customers with these products,” stated Tim Goff, Executive Director of the Fort Fairfield Chamber.  “Given our rich agricultural history, and the myriad of high-quality products being made here in Aroostook County, it just made sense to bring it all together under one roof, using the Northern Maine Agri-Business Trade Fair.”

More than a dozen farms and producers have signed on to participate in the inaugural Specialty Foods Sample Space, and the range of foods to be featured is diverse.  Participating growers and producers include:

• Circle ‘B’ Farms of Caribou featuring samples of their Blaizins (freeze-dried blueberries) & dried apple chips
• Chops Ahoy Farm of Woodland will be providing samples of their organic, free-range pork.
• Storibord Coffee Roasters from Fort Fairfield will be offering samples of their gourmet roasted coffees.
• Mom’s Fudge from Fort Kent will feature homemade fudge and candies.
• Chef Luigi Del Conte will have samples of his cooking sauces for attendees to try.
• Bouchard Farms of Fort Kent will be performing double duty with samples of their ployes and all-natural beef and will also feature maple syrup from Northwoods Nectar from Eagle Lake.
• Easton Center Bakery will be on-hand with samples of their homemade baked goods (Saturday only).
• Courtyard Café owner Joyce Transue will be in attendance with samples of the salad dressings that are made from scratch in her restaurant in Houlton.
• MisFit Farms from Westmanland will be providing samples of their products including honey, garlic and shallots.
• Northern Grind Coffee Company will be providing samples of their wood fire roasted coffees that are produced in Fort Fairfield.
• Aroostook Beef Company from New Canada will be offering up samples of their all-natural beef.
• Sweet Delights and Confections from Caribou will feature a variety of flavored marshmallows.
• Country Bakery from Bridgewater will provide samples of their delicious cookies, whoopee pies and more (Saturday only).
• Cary Medical Center will also have samples of the newly introduced potato variety, the Caribou Russet, available for attendees to try.

Thanks in large part to support provided by Cary Medical Center, Healthy You and The Maine Potato Board, the Chamber was able to underwrite the cost for producers to participate.

In addition to the Specialty Foods Sample Space, there are dozens of other agriculture related businesses planning to take part in the Northern Maine Agri-Business Trade Fair including many new additions to the roster this year.  The Trade Fair will feature everything from large equipment dealers to energy suppliers, financial services and non-profit organizations with the Forum packed to the rafters with a wide variety of displays featuring information, tools, supplies and much, much more!  There will also be plenty of delicious food, lots of giveaways.

Doors open at 9am Saturday and Sunday – with the first 100 attendees on each day receiving a free reusable grocery bag donated by Katahdin Trust!  Show hours are 9a-6p Saturday March 25^th and 9a-3p Sunday March 26^th.  Ticket prices remain the same as years’ past, $3 for adults and just a buck for kids!

For more information about the 37^th Annual Northern Maine Agri-Business Trade Fair, please contact Tim Goff at 207-472-3802 or email tgoff@fortfairfield.org.  You may also visit http://www.fortfairfield.org/about-us/visitor-information/agri-business-trade-fair.html for additional information.

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