DEAR READERS The moment the query about meat packages appeared in the April 24 paper, Sun Spots was inundated with responses from local providers of this service. Ignorance is no excuse, but that’s the only one Sun Spots has to offer, along with an apology.

Here are some of the stores that offer this service regularly: Town & Country Foods in Greene, Harvest Hill Farms in Poland, Tilton’s Market in Buckfield, Bourque’s Market in Lewiston, Little Alaska Farm in Wales and Nezinscot Farm in Turner.

Mea culpa. More from other readers:

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For the person looking for meat packages, when I lived in the Lewiston-Auburn area, I used to get mine at Webb’s Market on Pine Street. I believe that Bourque’s Market on Pine and Sabattus streets has them as well. — Bruce via email

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In addition to Bourque’s, Hannaford’s in Lewiston and Auburn offer different kind of meat packages. — Sandra via email

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For the person who was looking for meat packages, Tilton’s Market, 11 Turner St., Buckfield, provides several different choices. They have a website, Tiltonsmarket.com, or can be reached by phone 336-2191. Hope this helps! — Jane via email

DEAR SUN SPOTS: You can get meat packages from Bourque’s Market on Sabattus Street in Lewiston 782-1385 and, I believe, at Town and Country Foods, 72 Daggett Hill Road, Greene, 946-5489. — Venise via email

DEAR SUN SPOTS: How can a person find out who makes generic products for the major stores, such as My Essentials at Hannaford’s, Great Value at Wal-Mart? — No Name via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots contacted Eric Blom, external communications manager for Hannaford Supermarkets, who said:

“We do not publish a list of private-label suppliers; manufacturers can and do change as we work to ensure that our customers’ needs for a wide range of products are being met. We stand behind all our brands — Hannaford, My Essentials, Nature’s Place, Home 360, Healthy Accents and Taste of Inspirations. If customers have a specific question or concern about a private label item, they can contact the phone number and mailing address that is included on the packaging.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The March 15 edition of your paper contained an article about “pink slime” which is added to hamburger destined for public school lunches. Can you find out if it is also in the hamburg that is sold in our local grocery stores? Thank you. — Jean Libbey, Auburn, jlibbey1@roadrunner.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots cannot vouch for all stores, but she checked with Hannaford and Shaw’s and is happy to report that neither is using lean finely textured beef, also referred to as pink slime.

While Sun Spots is busy offering apologies, she owes one to the pink slime letter writer, who sent this query some time ago. Somehow it got lost. If your query is more than a month old and you have not had an answer, please resend it. Sun Spots is not sure how the pink slime question got misplaced and is worried there may be others.

Keep in mind that anonymous letters are not published. You must provide some identifying information, such as address, phone number or email, although Sun Spots will withhold that information at your request.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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