A few weeks ago, the HH and I were out and about and we drove by a giant carrot alongside the road. And well, what sane person wouldn’t turn the car around and investigate further?
Fresh off the Farm “A farmer’s market under one roof” the sign read. A farmer’s market in Maine in the middle of winter? I had to check it out.
And NO, this picture wasn’t taken in December. It was take just a few weeks ago. And YES, those are wreaths still hanging up outside the store. 🙂
Because this is Maine, and people leave their wreaths outside until Easter. It’s totally a thing here in New England. I don’t know if it’s too cold for people to go outside and take them down or what the deal is, but it’s totally normal around these parts. And I find it fascinating for some reason.
Side note: This kind of a genius idea actually. Think about it. Let’s say you decide to take your holiday family photo in February or March… because you know, there’s still snow on the ground and how festive, right? Well, since there’s no other outdoor plants to sell this time of year and most of the nurseries are closed, who knows, maybe this is a good little {albeit unusual} money maker.
If there is a group of people who are really good at thinking outside of the box for ways to make a living year round, it’s Mainers. 😉 They are seriously some of the most industrious folks I know.
But back to the original post.
Would you take a look at all these vegetables!
And herbs!
When was the last time you spotted sunchokes for sale in a grocery store? Hmmm… probably never.
Lots of local greens to choose from. And citrus too.
And oodles of local milk, cheese, eggs and other dairy products. {I still haven’t tried Kate’s butter. Have YOU? It’s made in Maine.}
Meats and weenies. They’ve got it all.
And check out the bulk section!
And spice section.
I need to try these.
Local candles too! How cool is that? Fresh off the farm really does have a ton of the same stuff you’d find at a local farmers market.
And other cool things you might not. Stuffed grape leaves. I bet my husband would like those.
And of course, a Maine favorite… Fireball. {Seriously, what is it with Fireball!?}
But best of all, the sell homemade pies. Made by human hands with real fillings. And wholly cow man, they are good!
Fresh Off the Farm. If you’re ever near Rockport, Maine you’ve got to stop in. You’ll be so glad you did!
Have a wonderful Thursday everyone,
Stay out of trouble.
~ Mavis
Fresh Off The Farm
495 Commercial St
Rockport, Maine 04856
Brenda says
The Christmas decorations are left up for a few reason: it is cold out, they still look good and they were expensive, and they might be frozen in place until the spring thaw! And then there might be birds nesting in them so they stay up until the baby birds have flown the nest, lol.
MB says
Cool market! Those grape leaves are delicious! We always keep a tin on hand for Mediterranean pickety bits dinners with hummus, carrots and crackers:)
Jen Buchanan says
I agree with Brenda with all of the reasons you see wreaths up past the holidays. I did have birds make a nest in one of my wreaths on my grape arbor. Boy, it seemed like those babies were never going to move out. The wreath was definitely ratty looking, by the time the babies fledged. I am surprised I didn’t have a notice from the “wreath police”.
I will need to make a trip to this market! I will try not to scream when I see the carrot.
Thank you for the share Mavis!
Daria says
Wreaths are left up because they stay green, and New Englanders are thrifty! Plus, who wants to tramp through a snowbank to take one down?
Kate’s Butter is the best – we buy it for our butter dish for “fresh eating.” I use less premium butter for baking and whatnot.
Elle says
HA! My Christmas wreath is still on the front door. It was 69F yesterday. I wonder if it’s dead yet?
Heidi P says
Once I kept my evergreen wreath up until March 1st. It felt strange and at times I was judged but it was so pretty. I really didn’t care what others thought. During February I added red hearts, etc for Valentines Day. One day I might just do it again!
Diane says
My rule is: As long as “it” isn’t dropping needles, “it” stays!
So it varies from year to year due to weather. Of course, this rule only applies to fresh cut whatevers: tree, wreath. garland. I’m always amazed by how long the fresh cuts last, how good they smell and how much enjoyment they give me. Guess I’m an honorary Mainer at heart! Have a great day, Mavis and the community!
lynne says
Fireball and ginger ale. Cocktail hour at my house, Friday at 4. 😉
LynneinMN
Nancy D says
Wow! Fantastic place!
Cynthia Platon says
Checking in from your old stomping grounds, Gig Harbor. My wreath is still up on my front door because it’s beautiful and why not! Fireball, do you like cinnamon red hots? This is like liquid cinnamon red hots, oh so good! I wish Kate’s butter shipped I would love to try it.
Shana Pare says
I am insanely jealous!! That is one marvelous roadside market.
Sandra Cirello says
Mavis, Kate’s Butter is Fabulous!! I’ve been trying all these tasteless butters with disappointment!! Kate’s is flavorful and we love it!!
Gale says
Fireball and Apple cider. Tastes like Apple pie.
Lynn from NC Outer Banks says
We just took ours down on the 16th. It came from Maine (!). My parents send one every year at Christmas, and we eagerly await its arrival. It is always so full and fresh. My husband misted it every morning to extend its season. Mid-December til mid March is a pretty good season 🙂 It smelled so good and looked pretty good until recently when our weather here in NC got warm too (73 degrees today).
We were at the beach today. It too smelled so good, and not like the usual ocean spray, instead, like evergreens. Christmas trees are used to augment our dunes. So lots and lots of Christmas tree stacks with the sand fences, at 45 degrees, to catch sand to create dunes. It was odd to smell evergreens at the beach, but they smell good wherever they are!
Torry says
Lynn, I loved reading what it is like there. Thank you for sharing. I have family in NC, so maybe some day…
Lynn from NC Outer Banks says
Of course! Come visit your family, Torry! It’s a great state from the mountains to the coast.
Shirley says
Kate’s is the best.
You must try it!!
Emily says
As someone who once lived in Michigan and left my wreath up until Spring, I can tell you why those wreaths are still up. Sometimes you just need a bit of green to make it through a long hard winter.
Sandra Anadio says
I’m sure you have been asked this Wmany times before, but here goes: Why do you call your website ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS A MONTH?
Carolina Cooper says
When Mavis started this blog 10 years ago or so, she was couponing like crazy and feeding her family on $100 a month, so that is where the name came from. Times have changed, obviously, but she has decided to keep the name of the blog.
Nancy says
I always keep my wreath up. In fact I took it down 4 days ago. And I put my Christmas lights on every time it snows. Winter around here is long and cold. And it just feels like a light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks for letting us know we are the norm.
Jan says
Holy Cow! That Cilantro is expensive! It’s 38 cents at all the stores around Houston, Tx
Diane says
Holy cow! I wish we had a farmers market like that down here in Tennessee! What a great place!
Carolina Cooper says
We have a very laid back HOA where I live. We have a lovely gazebo in the middle of our communal property. A live tree which is automatically lit each evening is put up in mid-December. It was just taken down this week! The brick path up to the gazebo was snow and ice covered until then. We are crossing our fingers that there will be no more snow and ice this season. Next out come the Boston rockers. The gazebo is a great place for relaxing and reading in the warm weather. I love it here, though as I have said before, folks up north don’t consider this the REAL Maine.
melanie daigle says
I’m not sure how I missed this……BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
I own this store and I’m so glad you stopped in and checked us out!!
My parents started FOTF in 1987 and I bought it in 2018! The giant carrot as well as a parking lot expansion were my first projects as the new owner!!!
The giant carrot is a big hit LOL
thank you again for the shout out
<3
Melanie Daigle