Lewiston FamerS' MArket ASSOCIATION (LFMA) 
​BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

 In 2021, the Lewiston Farmers' Market re-incorporated as the state-non profit, Lewiston Farmers’ Market Association (LFMA), and convened a robust multi-stakeholder Board of Directors made up of vendor and community members. We are incredibly grateful to all the time and energy our Board contributes to helping to grow and operate a robust farmers' market for greater Lewiston-Auburn.

Jon staples 

Board Chair: Jon Staples has been a participant in the Lewiston Farmers' Market since 2017. Jon grew up in Minot and moved to Auburn in 2004.  He has strong ties to the community through scouting and through coaching track for many years at Edward Little High School.  
More recently through his business Spicy Staples, LLC., Jon has integrated himself into the Farmers' Market and Craft Fair community throughout Southern and Central Maine. Establishing his business in 2016, and attending over 120 events each year since going full time, this has awarded Jon with a deep knowledge on how markets work, efficiency in setting up, and a wide range of friends in the community who work hard together to strengthen the community.  Jon is a fixture at markets and shows selling his mixed spices, talking recipes, and promoting other events.

CAT REGAN

Board Vice Chair: 

MAHAMED SHEIKH

Mahamed is the dedicated farm coordinator at New Roots Cooperative Farm, residing in Lewiston, Maine. With a passion for sustainable agriculture and community engagement, Mahamed plays a key role in overseeing farm operations and implementing collaborative initiatives. His deep commitment to supporting local food systems and sustainable farming practices is reflected in his work at New Roots Cooperative Farm. Through his leadership, Mahamed actively contributes to the thriving agricultural landscape of Maine, fostering partnerships and promoting access to fresh, locally grown produce.

KEENAN SHIELDS

emma larusso

Emma Lorusso is the Project Director at the Androscoggin Valley Soil & Water Conservation District in Lewiston. The "Andy Valley SWCD" helps to provide land use services and support to residents across Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties. She helps to organize educational workshops on all types of environmental topics, including gardening, foraging, mushrooms, farming, wildlife habitat, and conservation. Emma also brings professional experience in market events; she has a small business making candles in vintage and upcycled glass vessels, under the name Reclaim the Hammer.  She has been vending at markets across Maine and the New England area for five years.  During this time, she has also helped to organize and manage markets as well, giving her the unique perspective of understanding market vendors, managers, and customers. Emma has been a resident of Auburn for 3 years and is deeply passionate about eating and supporting the local economy in Lewiston/Auburn. She joined the Lewiston Farmers Market Board in January '25 and is excited to wear her many hats to help the market grow.

Julia Harper

Julia Harper believes in the importance of investing in community food system elements such as downtown farmers markets because they serve as critical infrastructure of a healthy, connected, and economically resilient community. Julia served as staff leadership for the Good Food Council of Lewiston-Auburn from 2014-2024, which included co-coordinating organizational, business, and municipal leaders toward realizing the community-driven goals and actions of the Local Foods Action Plan for LA. She also has work experience in a variety of farming and food retail operations. Julia holds a BA from the University of Maine. Julia lives and gardens in Lewiston with her husband and kid.

Sherie Blumenthal

Board Treasurer: Sherie Blumenthal is a steadfast advocate for equitable food systems, land justice, and community building. She is a lover of local food and the Lewiston Farmers’ Market which found a special place in her heart more than 15 years ago when she began supporting market operations and development. She feels incredibly privileged to work alongside her fellow LFMA Board Managers and long-time vendors to grow a market where people can nourish their bodies with good food and their hearts and minds through communtiy. Sherie is the Community Programs Manager at St. Mary’s Nutrition Center, serves on the Board of Land In Common Land Trust, and the Board of Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets (MFFM). She lives in Lewiston with her husband, two children, and their ever expanding wild garden.

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Memarie Christoforo

Memarie Christoforo has been a vendor at the Lewiston Farmers’ Market for many years. She hand-dyes local fiber using natural dyes, many of them from plants that grow in my backyard. Her business name is From Straw to Gold. She has also been on part of the market leadership, first as a steering committee member, for many years. Memarie enjoys supporting the vendors, the market and the community. We all benefit when we cooperate to make a strong market.

DOMINIC GIAMPAOLO

Dominic is an ardent supporter of the Lewiston Farmer's Market and very interested in local organically grown food. He believes strongly in knowing who grows your food and supporting the local community.  He comes nearly every market and is invested in seeing the market succeed. Dominic is a Softward Engineer at Apple, Inc. and founder at Busy Town Bikes in Lewiston.