The Portland Farmers Market has published an overview of its 242 year history.
In 1768, the town, voted to establish a public market in the lower part of the Town Hall. A town ordinance provided that all fresh meat could be offered for sale only at this market. The market served 136 families on the peninsula.
Provisions were carried into town in large leather saddlebags or paniers on horses backs and it was not until about 1815 that horse wagons were generally used.
I’ve added the Farmers Market, B&M, Schlotterbeck-Foss, Mister Bagel, Zeitman’s Grocery, and George’s Delicatessen to the Portland Food Timeline.