New farmers market to open next week in Turner

TURNER — A new farmers market will offer fresh produce, meats, custard, plants and more from local vendors starting Tuesday.

The market will run weekly from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in front of the former Natural History Club building at 442 Turner Center Road.

Less than two months ago, Jim Talbot was inspired to begin organizing the market following discussions at the annual Town Meeting in April. Residents overwhelmingly voted against selling the former Natural History Club property in the heart of Turner.

At the time, selectmen asked residents for some direction on what to do with the property. Talbot, president of the Turner Museum and Historical Association, began talking to others about what would benefit the town.

“It just sort of came up,” he said. “We’re an agricultural town. We need a farmers market.”

The former Natural History Club property at 442 Turner Center Road in Turner, photographed in April, will be the site of a new farmers market Tuesdays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Vanessa Paolella/Sun Journal

The idea was popular among residents and received unanimous approval from the Board of Selectmen, he said.

Madison MacLean, owner of Power Family Farm, soon stepped up to chair the farmers market committee.

MacLean and her husband previously sold fresh produce at a farmers market in Cumberland, however, they decided not to participate in farmers markets this year. But the opportunity to start one in Turner was too good to pass up, she said.

MacLean and Talbot said they hope the market helps build deeper connections among Turner residents.

“The whole momentum of community involvement, it’s gone by the wayside in many respects,” Talbot said. “People aren’t doing that as much as they used to.”

There is a “feeling that everyone is trying to do a little more than (start) a farmers market,” Talbot said. A large number of local vendors committed to the market early, he said, wanting to help it succeed from the start.

Turner is the second town in Androscoggin County to start a farmers market this year. Lisbon will host its first one Sunday at the Worumbo Recreation and Event Center – the site of the former Worumbo Mill.

Last year, farmers markets were also started in Sabattus and Leeds.

Vendors attending Turner’s market include:

• 16 Counties Farm Bakery

• Canty Cow Creamery

• Double Z Land & Livestock

• Hazel Hill Orchard

• Midnight Jackalope Designs

• Power Family Farm

• Shirmirley Farm

• Shut up ‘N eat it food truck

• The Erstwhile Gardener

• Twitchell’s Syrup