Lewiston Farmers' market History 

A year-round, family-friendly farmers' market right in the heart of Lewiston-Auburn, the Lewiston Farmers' Market (LFM) offers visitors a chance to connect with one another and shop for a wide variety of fresh, delicious, local foods and goods while fostering a vibrant downtown and building a strong community and local economy. After nearly two decades in operation, the LFM has reached a critical juncture along its journey towards becoming an autonomous and resilient farmers’ market for the Lewiston-Auburn region. Founded in 2004 by an Association of farmers and local organizations committed to revitalizing downtown Lewiston and making fresh food affordable and accessible for all community members, the LFM occurred every Tuesday afternoon in Kennedy Park during peak summer months. A cornerstone of fresh local food in the neighborhood, the LFM was the first market in the state to offer SNAP/EBT and one of a handful to pilot and lead the development of the nutrition incentive program which would become the statewide, federally funded Maine Harvest Bucks.  These, and other key milestones were reached in large part due to the leadership of the St. Mary’s Nutrition Center who assumed responsibility for market operations in 2006 alongside a committed voting membership. Key partners such as the New American Agriculture Project (NASAP) and the City of Lewiston were also critical to early success.

After six years at Kennedy Park, steady growth, and community vision for a weekend destination market and gathering space prompted the LFM to open at the centrally located Bates Mill 5 complex in 2010. This location gave the LFM opportunity to gain footing, develop community programs, and grow and maintain an invested base of vendors and shoppers. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the LFM saw unprecedented sales and foot traffic between 2019 and 2021 including a 116% increase in Maine Harvest Bucks redemption. independent operation. In 2021, the Lewiston Farmers’ Market re-incorporated as the state-non profit Lewiston Farmers’ Market Association (LFMA), and convened a multi-stakeholder Board of Directors made up of farmers, community members, and local business owners. This collective of people took up the task of continuing to build an autonomous, regional farmers’ market, and fulfilling the vision of securing a lasting market home. In 2022, the LFMA collaborated with City officials, and community partners to make a move to 2 Oxford and 75 Lincoln Street and hired its first market year round Market Manager mid summer.

​Amidst so much growth and transition, the LFMA is at a moment of great potential and also some fragility as it navigates a fledgling Board of Directors, recently hired Market Manager, an aging vendor base, and a new temporary home within a landscape of promising but uncertain development. Continued support and engagement from the St. Mary's Nutrition Center will bring a much needed layer of stability; however, steady, confident, and competent leadership will be needed to support the LFMA in strengthening collaborations and building a truly enduring, vibrant, regional farmers’ market.

Meet Our Vendors

Curious about the people and products you'll see at the Market? Click below to find out more about our weekly and guest vendors!​

GET INVOLVED!

Give back to your community, support a healthy food system, and gain valuable skills by playing music or volunteering with Lewiston Farmers' Market!

Maine Harvest Bucks

Get BONUS fruits and vegetables when you use your SNAP/EBT on any food product at the Lewiston Farmers' Market!
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The Lewiston Farmers' Market grateful to the support it receives from the St. Mary's Nutrition Center, part of St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, and Covenant Health. The Nutrition Center brings people together to collectively imagine and build a just food system and healthy community. For more information about programs and opportunities visit HERE .