AREA — Bethel Farmer’s Market will open on Saturday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In the meantime, Greenwood Farmer’s Market has moved outside for the next several months.

Both markets offer a variety of fresh produce, meats, and baked goods. Both markets sell maple syrup and eggs.

At both you can buy wool, homemade balms, pottery, flowers, and plants. But beyond the similarities are items that are unique and make visiting both markets worthwhile adventures.

Bethel

Starting Saturday, The Bethel Farmer’s Market is open on The Parkway near the intersection of Mayville Road.

This year the market will host 14 farms,  “We are at capacity, for the first time ever,” said Market Manager Hannah Court of  Waterford’s Wandering Root Farm.

Court explained that in January each year, one of the farmers hosts a market meeting where they discuss the budget and any applications they have received. The applicants must have  liability insurance and be up to date with any required state licensing. Their first year is a probationary year, to see if they are a good fit. After the first probationary year they are awarded voting rights.

This year with the addition of four new vendors, Court said the Bethel Farmer’s market, “is only getting better… We are a good motley crew of people who have a great time … that’s not always the case in Farmer’s Markets and so it’s just a wonderful breath of fresh air.”

With new vendors on the roster, they are adding more variety. The market will have more produce, meat and eggs, and will offer flowers and vegetable seedlings.

Kittridge Brook Farm of West Paris is new to the market. Their owners will sell meat  and produce. Another newcomer is Stow’s Fossil Flower Farm.

Longtime sellers at Wrinkle in Thyme of Sumner will partner with Perrywick Homestead of West Bethel still offering all the wool products of year’s past plus maple syrup and honey.

Danielle Mason of Newry’s Hideaway Homestead’s sells granola, and “some of the most delicious vegan baked goods I have ever had in my life,” said Court.

Assistant Market Manager Mary Harrington owns Mountainess of Albany. She sells soap, deodorant, and balms.

Another addition to the market will be Court’s acceptance of WIC (Women, infants and children) from shoppers. “It’s a very complicated process,” she said, adding that she will likely be the only the vegetable vendor accepting it.

Court said they are hopeful for continued support from Sunday River Ski Resort, who traditionally gives all their employees $50 to spend in “market dollars.”  The money helps support a twice yearly “Kid’s Club” at the Market with Kate Webb of Bethel Area Arts also a twice yearly, “Senior Days” that offers a discount to seniors.

They will stay open until mid-October.

Vendors at the Bethel market include:

Vendors