Brewer's Fest, Gateless Trader Joe's, Maine Farmers

The Maine Sunday Telegram includes a report on the 17th Annual Maine Brewers Festival,

The festival draws beer drinkers and beer makers from around the state. Ticket-buyers get a glass and tickets for up to 12 four-ounce tastes from brewers such as Shipyard, Allagash, Sheepscot and Geary’s.

and on the lack of a gate between the Bayside Trail which runs adjacent to Trader Joe’s.

Peter Quesada, whose Fore River Co. owns the land on Marginal Way, said his company “made a business judgment” to put up the fence between the trail and the store. He declined to say what that business judgment was based on.

Yesterday’s paper reported on the potential impact that a growth in farming can have on the state’s economy.

Seven panelists at an annual economic development forum told about 45 people in Maine business and government that agricultural development is key to a bright economic future. They also emphasized that more people are starting farms in Maine.

From 2002 to 2007, the number of farms jumped by nearly 1,000, to 8,136, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Brewer’s Fest, Gateless Trader Joe’s, Maine Farmers

The Maine Sunday Telegram includes a report on the 17th Annual Maine Brewers Festival,

The festival draws beer drinkers and beer makers from around the state. Ticket-buyers get a glass and tickets for up to 12 four-ounce tastes from brewers such as Shipyard, Allagash, Sheepscot and Geary’s.

and on the lack of a gate between the Bayside Trail which runs adjacent to Trader Joe’s.

Peter Quesada, whose Fore River Co. owns the land on Marginal Way, said his company “made a business judgment” to put up the fence between the trail and the store. He declined to say what that business judgment was based on.

Yesterday’s paper reported on the potential impact that a growth in farming can have on the state’s economy.

Seven panelists at an annual economic development forum told about 45 people in Maine business and government that agricultural development is key to a bright economic future. They also emphasized that more people are starting farms in Maine.

From 2002 to 2007, the number of farms jumped by nearly 1,000, to 8,136, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Counting Calories

According to a report from the Press Herald, Anthony’s is now posting calorie counts on its menu as part of the city’s Smart Meals for ME program.

Along with the calorie counts on its traditional menu, Anthony’s has added a Lighter Side menu. It offers smaller portions, new sandwiches and wraps, and lighter versions of its traditional dishes, such as wheat pasta with mushroom bolognese (322 calories) and chicken cacciatore (580 calories).

Review of Steve and Renee's Diner

Steve and Renee’s Diner received 4 stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.

As many diners do, you can order breakfast all day at Steve and Renee’s. I decided on a short stack (two slices) of French toast for $2.89 and a cinnamon bun for $1.39. I told my waitress that I thought I was ordering too much bread (and, as it turned out, I did), but it was all good – especially the cinnamon bun, which was served to me warm.

Also in today’s paper is an article about Linda Greenlaw’s season fishing for swordfish and a overview on the beercentric events taking place in and around Portland this weekend.

Review of Steve and Renee’s Diner

Steve and Renee’s Diner received 4 stars from the Eat & Run review in today’s Press Herald.

As many diners do, you can order breakfast all day at Steve and Renee’s. I decided on a short stack (two slices) of French toast for $2.89 and a cinnamon bun for $1.39. I told my waitress that I thought I was ordering too much bread (and, as it turned out, I did), but it was all good – especially the cinnamon bun, which was served to me warm.

Also in today’s paper is an article about Linda Greenlaw’s season fishing for swordfish and a overview on the beercentric events taking place in and around Portland this weekend.

The Appeal of Trader Joe's

Food for Thought has explored the enthusiasm that Trader Joe’s fans have for the market.

I’ve tried to understand the attraction of Trader Joe’s.  I know its immediate appeal is price–many items are cheaper than elsewhere and many of their store-name products have a great following among its devotees.

A friend of mine is a great fan of the place.  And I asked her to explain why, to give me specific products that she likes there.

She started off with the dishwashing powder.

The Appeal of Trader Joe’s

Food for Thought has explored the enthusiasm that Trader Joe’s fans have for the market.

I’ve tried to understand the attraction of Trader Joe’s.  I know its immediate appeal is price–many items are cheaper than elsewhere and many of their store-name products have a great following among its devotees.

A friend of mine is a great fan of the place.  And I asked her to explain why, to give me specific products that she likes there.

She started off with the dishwashing powder.

Paper Food: Cooking Matters, Pecan Pie, Macrobiotics . . .

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes article about Cooking Matters, a program that “recruits local culinary and nutrition professionals to teach low-income families on a limited budget how to prepare nutritious meals that also taste good”, and interviews with macrobiotic educator Warren Kramer and Ethan Toby, sous chef at Sonny’s.
Yesterday’s edition of the Portland Daily Sun provides advice on where to source ingredients for you home Mexican cooking and a reminder that Two Fat Cats made the cut for a Yankee magazine article about where to find the best 5 holiday pies in New England.

Winter Market Aims for Irish Heritage Center

The Winter Farmers Market is working with the city to get a zoning change so they can operate this winter out of the Irish Heritage Center, according to an article in today’s Press Herald.

[Councilor David] Marshall, who facilitated a meeting last month between the organizers of the farmers market and the city staff, said he expects the council to support the zoning change.

Last winter, the market operated at 85 Free St. Organizers said the space was too small and there was not enough parking for customers. “We wanted a better and a bigger space,” said Lauren Pignatello, one of the market’s coordinators.