At the end of the harvest season in October, residents of Androscoggin County are given an Eat Local Challenge. In practice, this fun Challenge is to share photos from farm or restaurant visits or personal recipes on social media (or you can fill out a form if you’re not online like that). However, in theory, an Eat Local Challenge with any set of rules is easy to complete in Maine.

From coastal fisheries to inland farms and orchards, Maine people value local food and its purveyors. In fact, a 2020 study found that Maine has the most certified organic vegetable farms in the country—about 37 organic farms per 100,000 people. If you want to dig deeper, here’s some basic info with information on over 1,000 farms of all types in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties.

The annual Eat Local Challenge is hosted by the Lewiston Auburn Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Lewiston Farmers Market, which runs Sundays, May through October at 2 Oxford Street. There, you’ll find more than two dozen farmers and vendors from the region, selling seasonal produce, quality meat and dairy, flowers, baked goods, handcrafted bath and skin products, arts and crafts and more.

Beyond the weekly gathering, home cooks can find more than half a dozen local farm stands in the region. Some favorites include Lesvesque’s Organic Farm Stand in Leeds, Nezinscott Farm Café & Gourmet Food Shop in Turner and the monthly market at Liberation Farms in Wales, a unique collective run by the Somali Bantu Community Association. You can also regularly find local produce and products in the aisles of our major grocery stores.

LET’S GO OUT TO EAT

Cooking at home can be healthy, fun and affordable, but going out to eat connects you with neighbors, a great meal and no clean up.

The urban food scene in and around Lewiston and Auburn reflects the history and diverse cultures of the area. Starting with the icons, there’s nothing more Maine than grabbing a whoopie pie and Moxie for a snack. The whoopie pie was first made in 1925 at Labadie’s Bakery on Lincoln Street in Lewiston. At the time, the neighborhood was known as “Little Canada” because of how many Quebecois immigrants had arrived to work for the city’s shoe and textile manufacturers. Along with their language, French-Canadians also brought poutine with them. In 2024, the Maine Poutine Fest People’s Choice Award went to Pinky D’s Poutine Factory Truck and Grille, which operates out of Lisbon Falls. Moxie is the oldest continually brewed soda in the U.S. and Maine’s state soft drink, is celebrated at The Moxie Festival in Lisbon every July. At Simone’s, a warm, family-run diner, you’ll also find oldest hotdog stand in Maine. (Psst: say it like “Simonès”.)

On Lisbon Street, a few blocks away from Labadie’s, you’ll find much of the city’s contemporary food scene. Forage Market has nationally recognized wood-fired sourdough bagels. Naima, a pan-African restaurant, serves up sambusas, injera, lots of different meat and a crowd favorite spiced tea. Tucked around the corner on Ash Street is Sonder & Dram, where you can get a one-of-a-kind handcrafted cocktail. Upstairs is fine dining destination, bon Vivant, where classically trained culinary talent makes the most out of the Maine’s freshest ingredients.

Cross into Auburn to try Greek and Italian cuisine at 84 Court. Cibo Pizza is known for their artisan pies and delicious vegan options. This side of the river is also where you can kick-off your own Drink Local Challenge.

FRESH DRAFTS, FRESH DRIFTS

Start with a draft on Gritty McDuff’s patio, which overlooks the Falls. You can also choose from 200 local and global beers, ciders, seltzers and more at Craft Brew Underground. Side by Each leans into the region’s agricultural heritage by offering Community Supported Brewing: invest in six to 12 months of beer up front (or coffee, also roasted on site) and get discounts, gear and special event invites. You’ll have to pop back over to Lewiston to grab Stowaway IPA and canal-side bite at The Pub at Baxter Brewing.

In the summer, Nonesuch River Brewing in Poland might be on the way to or from the lakes. But as the weather cools down, perhaps you’re thinking of an après ski destination. Stop at Lost Valley Brewing Company while visiting Lost Valley Ski Area in Auburn, or the Oxbow Beer Garden in Oxford while heading to Sunday River in Bethel.

The end of the growing season is a special time of year, as Maine people celebrate the seasons and prepare for winter.  But the time for discovering the region’s best restaurants, exploring Mainers’ tried-and-true recipes and tasting the harvests of local farmers is always ripe. Whether you’re visiting for a day, or planning to stay for a lifetime, you can join the Eat Local Challenge, share your photos and be part of Lewiston and Auburn’s local food economy.

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Original article published in the Sun Journal on October 21, 2024.