In conjunction with the exhibition’s “Art to Table: Visual Sustenance” theme, Maine Art Gallery in Wiscasset will host a panel discussion representing three organizations and businesses involved with Maine’s sustainable agriculture from 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday, May 21.
Anna Fiedler of Maine Farmland Trust will highlight the important role farms play in our communities. She will talk specifically about the successful efforts that ensured the Morris Farm (now The Commons at Morris Farm) in Wiscasset remained a farm. She will also introduce Ryan Esbjerg, one of the new owners, who will share his family’s vision for the farm’s future.
Erica Berman, co-founder of Veggies to Table, a farm in Newcastle that donates its organic produce and flowers to locals in need, will join the panel. Berman will discuss her farm’s mission, its founding and its success over the last seven seasons in donating 95,050 pounds of food and 153,700 flowers to over 35 local organizations and families.
Owner of Morning Glory Natural Foods, Toby Tarpinian, and his mother, Susan, who founded the store, will talk about the business and its fascinating history. Morning Glory Natural Foods, located on Maine Street in Brunswick, is a family-owned natural food store specializing in local and organically grown foods. As a pioneer of the organic food movement in Maine, Morning Glory has been in business for 40 years and provides a market for many local vegetable farmers, dairies, organic meat farms and bakeries.
The talk will be followed by a reception with goodies provided by Morning Glory Natural Foods. Back River Bistro in Wiscasset is sponsor of this program.
