JAY — September brings one of the widest selections of the year to local farm stands, when tomatoes, cucumbers and corn overlap with apples, pumpkins, winter squash and cider.

Across Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls and Chesterville, shoppers can find everything from small roadside stands to established farm stores carrying produce, meat, eggs, dairy products, baked goods and maple products.

The overlap between summer and fall is especially noticeable at Boothby’s Farm Market and Orchard in Livermore. “Right now at the intersection of the summer and fall seasons, we have almost everything,” Denise Boothby said. Hours and inventory can change quickly as crops come and go, so shoppers looking for a particular item should check ahead.

Jay

Real Deal Farm, 112 Bean Road, grows organic vegetables, blueberries and other crops. The farm has offered tomatoes, beans, beets, carrots, onions, peas, pumpkins, squash, sweet corn and herbs.

JEFFA Family Farm, 509 Franklin Road, sells meat, poultry and eggs raised on the farm, along with products from other Maine farms. The farm has also carried milk, cheese, butter, honey, maple syrup and kettle corn. JEFFA opened at the former Seamon’s Orchard property and has continued expanding its farm and retail offerings.

Depot Street Meats & Dairy at L.D. Farms, 29 Depot St., offers grass-fed beef and lamb, heritage poultry, eggs and raw-milk dairy products. The farm store is open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 2 to 6 p.m. Friday and 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday.

Al’s Farm Stand on Franklin Road is one of Jay’s smaller roadside options. A recent visit found mums, cucumbers, tomatoes and other seasonal items at the stand.

Another small seasonal stand is on Marcello Street near Jewell Street. Its name, exact address and regular hours were not independently confirmed, so shoppers should look for current roadside signs.

Livermore

Boothby’s Farm Market, 1425 Federal Road, is at the point in the season when summer and fall produce share the shelves.

Current offerings include cucumbers, zucchini and green beans, though those crops are nearing the end of their season, along with apples, corn, peaches, squash, pie pumpkins, tomatoes and peppers. Grapes, including table and Concord varieties, are expected soon.

The farm also has pick-your-own flowers and baked goods, including pastries, pies and breads.
Two products have especially stood out this season.

“Beef! We have almost sold out for the season,” owner Denise Boothby said. “And Silver Queen corn, seems like people have been waiting all season for it.”

The market is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.
Fall offerings include apples, pumpkins, winter squash, mums, corn stalks and hay bales.

Boothby said hand-pressed, unpasteurized cider is expected to begin next week.
One change this year is the bakery selection.

“We have moved to a bakery co-op model,” Boothby said. “We are not bakers but there are so many talented people in our community. It is exciting to have their baked goods retailed in one place for our customers.”

Boothby’s Orchard, 366 Boothby Road, is open for pick-your-own apples from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday through Columbus Day. Boothby said the farm hopes to keep its market open through Oct. 31.

Livermore Falls

Berry Fruit Farm Market and Bakery, 54 Main St., has already shifted firmly into its fall lineup.
“We have apples, peaches, pears, cider and local veggies,” Joel Gilbert of Berry Fruit Farm said.

Pumpkins are also available in a variety of sizes and colors, and Gilbert said the market’s cider doughnuts are especially popular this time of year.

Berry Fruit Farm is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday.

The business is also expanding beyond its regular market offerings.

“We are offering catering out of our farm market,” Gilbert said. “We can do small to large catering events.”

Gilbert said Berry Fruit Farm remains open year-round.

Pasture Lane Farm Market, 26 Pasture Lane, is another Livermore Falls option, offering meat, produce, jams, baked goods and pickled goods.

Also in Livermore Falls: Under the Maple Bakehouse, 62 Knapp St., offers a rotating selection of baked goods from a small local setup. Recent offerings have included cookies and coffee cake. Because availability changes, customers should check current postings before stopping by.

Chesterville

JB Farm, 140 Stinchfield Hill Road, is offering a full mix of fall foods and farm products, with its store schedule varying through September.

The farm’s current September schedule lists hours from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 12, 13, 19 and 27. The store will be closed Sept. 20 and 26, with maple products available at the Farmington Fair during part of that period. JB Farm also plans to close Oct. 3 through 11 before reopening Oct. 17 and 18.

When the store is closed, a self-serve stand is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Fall offerings include apple cider doughnuts with maple cream cheese filling, beef, chicken, sausage, prepared dinner options, maple products and canned goods.

As summer gives way to fall, local farm stands are carrying some of the broadest variety of the year, with late-summer vegetables still available alongside apples, pumpkins, cider and other autumn staples.

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