While I often discuss the restaurants that have been doing their best to survive and (hopefully) once again thrive, the fact that many restaurants went away and that many people are still reticent to come back to them has caused issues for another set of food friends- Namely, the farmers who produce the products that most restaurants (and home chefs) use to craft their creative creations.
Fortunately, some pioneering places are coming up with fruitful ways to support their fruit and vegetable suppliers.
The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets (which can be found at mainefarmersmarkets.org) recently rolled out a new program called Bumper Crop that sells product vouchers that are valid at over 50 of Maine’s most meaningful markets. From Augusta and Bangor to Kittery and Portland to Wells and York, these handy harvest helpers allow users to go to any of the participating markets and pick up whatever healthy foods and other goods suit their fancies, including Maine’s legendary blueberry and maple products, as well as fresh cheeses, spices and sauces, coffees and teas, and even edible flowers!
In addition to purchasing Bumper Crop vouchers for yourself or other people you hope to keep healthy and happy, the Federation has also been offering the vouchers to employers as an employee wellness benefit (for which they only pay for the amounts that their employees actually use!). So far, over $100,000 worth of the vouchers have been distributed by area employers, benefitting both their employees and their farming friends and neighbors as well!
Speaking of benefits, the program has already added about $25 to each produce purchase and encouraged over 60% of users to visit more markets and to eat more healthy and organic goods- so the benefits go far beyond the financial!
Let’s hope that other areas remember the Maine Federation so their family farms can bump up their businesses and better support other communities as well.