In the news: the following newsworthy article came to us from Mainebiz.
A group of organic dairy farmers in Maine affected by low milk prices and changes at large milk companies have banded together to launch a new brand.
The brand, called Maine’s Own Organic Milk, or MOO Milk, will hit shelves at Hannaford and independent grocery stores in Maine and New Hampshire in November, according to Maine Public Broadcasting Network.
Farmers from Aroostook, Washington, Kennebec and Penobscot counties will provide the milk, which will be processed at Smiling Hill Farms in Westbrook and distributed by Oakhurst Dairy and Crown of Maine. The launch comes as a response to a shrinking demand for organic milk, which can be twice the cost of conventional milk, and milk companies asking farmers to cut production.
This year, H.P. Hood told 10 Maine organic dairy farms that their contracts would not be renewed, prompting a call to boycott the company’s products and those of its subsidiary Stonyfield Organic Milk.
The farmers involved said they hope consumers will support the local product. The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, the Maine Farm Bureau and the Maine Department of Agriculture played a role in launching MOO Milk, according to MPBN.
The New England Farm 2 Fork Project-
Presents
(‘An Antique Apple Symposium’ @ Raven Hill Orchard)
‘…expand your antique apple knowledge…’
Sunday, October 18th 9am to 1am
Chefs, cooks, pastry chefs, restaurateurs, educators, winemakers, specialty food shop operators, cheese shop owners, foodies, members of the media and apple enthusiasts are invited to join us at Raven Hill Orchard, a MOFGA certified organic apple orchard in East Waterboro for a day of heirloom apple education, discussion, and evaluation….
The Days Itinerary-
-a made in Maine cheese social
-a tasting tour of our MOFGA certified organic apple orchard
-the great antique apple tasting and evaluation (over 15 heirloom apples)
-lunch with Chef Sebastian Carosi of the new england farm 2 fork project
lunch menu…
-farmstead local cheddar mac-n-cheese…
-the freshest mess of organic greens with mulled orchard cider
vinaigrette, local goat cheese, antique apples and walnuts…
-organic orchard apple crisp with crumb topping
and local sweet cream ice cream…
-just pressed orchard cider & applewood smoked coffee…
$18 per/person (including luncheon) please RSVP* by October 16th
*reservations can be made by calling the orchard at- 207-247-4455
or by going online at- farm2forkreservations@yahoo.com
Raven Hill Orchard- 255 Ossipee Hill Road . East Waterboro, ME 04030 . 207-247-4455 . www.ravenhillorchard.com
There is something sweet being served up in Liberty, Maine. John’s Ice Cream, handmade by John Ascrizzi, is a real treat. John comes from a family of hard working foodies. He says being hard working, experimental, and creative are the keys of his success.
Currently boasting 35-50 ice cream flavors, perennial favorites include vanilla, raspberry cream, and chocolate. And John is proud of the fact that he sources as locally as possible, which makes his ice cream extra delicious.
Try his creations at his store on Rt. 3 in Liberty, and if you are at the Common Ground Fair this weekend, he’ll be serving up his ice cream there, too. Learn more about John’s Ice Cream in the latest issue of Maine Food & Lifestyle.
This bread makes the house smell like a pizzeria while it’s baking. You can certainly use other Italian herb mixes, or concoct your own, but having tried several I recommend the mix produced and sold by the United Society of Shakers at Sabbathday Lake, Maine. Their mix seems to have just the right proportions of fragrant herbs, including fennel. I’m not crazy about fennel on its own, as a rule, but in this recipe it is a wonderful addition and you wouldn’t want to do without it. At any rate some quantity of garlic, basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, and fennel seed are used. Feel free to experiment. Continue reading “Parmesan-Herb Braid” »
Love decorating with the Maine coast’s natural gifts from the sea? Look no further than Seagull Cottage, a destination for shells, sea glass, and all sorts of whimsical, wonderful ocean treasures.
This distinctive Maine shop has two locations: one in Rockland and the other in Warren. Get an inside look at what makes this such a fun place to browse away an afternoon in the new issue of Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine.
There is something about Maine that defies seasonal explanation. Perhaps it is the strength of its people, its abundance of natural resources, or the unparalleled beauty of its timeless landscape. While the whisper of fall is in the air, we still feel a strong loyal tie to fading summer. While we are connected to finite seasons, the cycle we are in flows infinitely on. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the growing season of our local foods. Continue reading “New Issue of Maine Food & Lifestyle” »
September is typically a beautiful month in Maine, and there are still lots of great events all over the state to enjoy. Just because summer is on the wane, don’t fret! The transition to fall is an easy one with so much happening. Continue reading “Maine Events Calendar: September 2009″ »
I just spent hours salivating over a display of eye candy, made some careful choices, and now I’m back for more. Continue reading “Maine Fare Taste Seminars: Eye Candy for Food Lovers” »
Personally, I can’t think of a better combination. And where can one go to indulge all these food fantasies? We’ve heard satisfaction can be found in Brooklin, Maine. The Cave, says proprietor Laura Cramer, caters to “the three biggest sensory pleasures.”
Continue reading “Chocolate, Cheese, and Wine?” »
I tried Atkins about seven years ago. You know, the diet that makes you crazy because it keeps you from eating nearly everything worth living for, i.e. pasta and bread? It took my best friend telling me I was skinnier but a “little scary to be around these days” to know that losing 10 pounds was not worth depriving myself of one more plate of pumpkin ravioli. I’ve never looked back.
Continue reading “Maine’s Bread Community Comes Together in Skowhegan” »
Dean’sSweets, maker of elegant dark chocolate truffles, has joined the row of award-winning food establishments on Middle Street in Portland, amplifying this East-End block’s allure as a foodie destination.
Continue reading “Portland’s “Foodie Row”” »
Summer is finally here! We hope you make the most of it. Get out and enjoy the sunshine and a wide variety of activities across the state. August is the traditional month for Maine fairs and festivals. Whether you’re a local or visitor, we encourage you take part in the fun Maine has to offer.
Continue reading “Maine Events Calendar: August 2009″ »
Lots of people build their summer vacation round one of Maine’s famous food festivals–and of course, locals turn out in droves–to participate in the fun and the eating.
The 62nd Annual Maine Lobster Festival, starting this Wednesday noon in Harbor Park in Rockland, is a huge, five day festival which hosts thousands of visitors each year. There are lobster street sculptures, a parade, the annual Sea Goddess Coronation, music galore, arts tents, a race on half-submerged lobster crates and…lobster.
Continue reading “Maine Lobster Festival” »
Yesterday I took my son, Jacob, to see "Food, Inc." at the Strand in Rockland. We met Creative Director Jim Bazin there and were surprised at how many people came out on such a (rare) gorgeous sunny Sunday afternoon, but the theatre was quite full. Many in attendance were looking forward to the panel discussion following the film led by Nancy Harmon-Jenkins and panelists Merrill Williams of Maine Food & Lifestyle, Cheryl Denz of Terra Optima Farm, Melissa Kelly of Primo, Glen Libby of Midcoast Fishermen's Association, and others with direct insight into Maine's food scene.
Continue reading ““Food, Inc.” Thought provoking, disturbing, and enlightening” »
On a lazy Sunday morning, if you’re looking for something to go with your Ducktrap smoked salmon, try the caviar at Browne Trading Company. If it’s good enough for Le Bernardin, it’s probably good enough for a weekend nosh.
Continue reading ““Caviar of Maine” makes a fancy debut” »
We encourage our blog readers to get out to Rockport Harbor this Thursday, June 18, for a spectacular local event. Pop the Cork 2- A Toast to the Arts is happening from 5:30-9:30pm, hosted by our friends at Cellardoor Winery. A benefit event, all proceeds will go to The Center for Maine Contemporary Art.
With so much to enjoy in such a rich area of Maine, start off the summer with food, wine, art, and music. There will be Zydeco, steel drums, a swing band, and of course fabulous wine and hors d'oeuvres. What a great time to take in a local cultural event. Make it the start of a yearly tradition! To learn more call 236.2654 www.mainewine.com Tickets may also be purchased online tickets@cellardoorvineyard.com
From the staff at Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine.
Here in Maine we're aware that our local restaurants, antique shops, crafts, and farmers' markets are cherished by urban renegades who flock here to enjoy "life the way it should be." Among our more high-profile part-time residents is none other than Martha Stewart who runs a media empire and escapes to Bar Harbor whenever she can.
Continue reading “Maine Farm Gets the Nod from Martha Stewart” »
Every person that steps on Isle au Haut – be they hiker, camper,
sightseer, worker, repairman, photographer, news reporter, house guest
or whatever – becomes a member of this small community the instant their toes touch the town dock. When you visit an island as small as ours,
you don’t really have the luxury of being a casual observer. If there
is a fire, we may ask you to haul buckets. If someone goes missing, we
may sign you onto a search party. If there is a parade, we may invite
you to construct a float, or bang a drum, or honk a horn. We will
encourage you to participate in our annual talent show, or make a
cameo in the island contra dance band, or bring a dish to one of our potlucks in the town hall.
Continue reading “Isle au Haut Getaway: Off the Beaten Path” »
Our Island Gourmet Girls Culinary Getaway on beautiful Isle au Haut on June 13-15 and June 15-17 is an event we know you will enjoy. Join me, along with 
Linda Greenlaw and Kate Shaffer for a weekend cooking extravaganza. You will learn to perfectly prepare and cook succulent Maine fish, make delicious complementary side dishes, and finish off with an artisan chocolate making class. Walk away with recipes and memories to last a lifetime.
I love dinner parties: the planning, decorating, preparing, the laughter and fun. The satisfaction and happiness I get feeds my soul as well as the bellies of my guests. Heck, I even opened an inn on an offshore island with no restaurants so I could do it 7 nights a week!
Continue reading “Isle au Haut – A Memorable Culinary Getaway” »
Drawing on mint's eastern Mediterranean roots, this recipe combines the strong flavors of lamb, feta, and mint with the gently cooked leeks and scallions. The flavors blend nicely on a thin crisp crust–flatbread, tortilla, pita, or focaccia bread.
Continue reading “Ellsfarm Recipe: Flatbread with Mint, Lamb, Feta” »
