AUGUSTA (AP) – A new Web site is helping put Maine shoppers in touch with local farmers.

The site, eatlocalfoods.org, aims to boost in-state consumption of Maine-grown foods by helping people find ways to buy their fresh produce from local farmers, farmers’ markets and community-supported farming projects.

“We want to get the word out about all the good things that go along with eating local,” said Roger Doiron, a spokesman for the Eat Local Foods Coalition. “The end goal is to ultimately change consumer behavior. We want people to stop and have a good long think when they’re at a supermarket and standing over a big bag of California potatoes right next to a bag of Maine potatoes.”

Food sold at farmers’ markets are comparable in price to those found in grocery stores, Doiron said, but there’s no comparison in quality or taste.

Maine has 75 community-supported agriculture farms and 75 farmers’ markets and state residents spend about $40 million annually on local produce, grains and meats.

“If we were to purchase as little as $10 worth of Maine foods each week, it would add up to $100 million staying in the Maine economy,” said Russell Libby, executive director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.

Libby said fewer farm stands line Maine roads today than did three decades ago, but farm stores are on the increase.

Lawrence Morse, of Manchester, organized one of the newest farmers’ markets, at the old Edwards Mill site in downtown Augusta. Morse said people shop at farmers’ markets because of the convenience, and because they want great-tasting food without chemicals.

“It’s different than going up and down the aisles of a supermarket,” Morse said. “The buyers come around and chat in an atmosphere that’s low-key and very social. The number of farmers’ markets in Maine has tripled over the last 10 years. They’re acquiring a very substantial clientele, who come back year after year.”