The value of shopping local in Portland | Letter

In response to the recent story on the popularity of so-called niche food markets in the Portland area (“When it comes to groceries, Maine shoppers know where their loyalties lie,” June 18), I offer some comments. We choose to focus on locally grown food which, yes, is pricier, but cooking our own food instead of eating prepared or frozen meals can offset the cost of high-quality produce, fish, dairy and meat products.

We shop at the Portland Farmers Market for fruits and vegetables, the Portland Food Co-op, which has grains and beans in bulk bins as well as local produce and meat, and at Hannaford markets, which carry an impressive selection of both fresh and processed Maine products.

All three are committed community partners. The Portland Farmers Market has discounts for SNAP recipients and a food access program. The co-op offers customers a chance to round up their purchase at the cash register, which results in contributions of thousands of dollars to nonprofits chosen by the co-op members. And Hannaford does so much for each community it serves throughout Maine, from donating items to area food banks to supporting local organizations.

We place more value on the quality and freshness of local foods, and the community role of these enterprises, than the savings, if there are any, at stores operated by mega corporations (Whole Foods/Amazon, Trader Joe’s, Aldi). We encourage people to care about where their food comes from and who they’re supporting with their grocery dollars.

Michelle Gregoire and Bill Karl
Westbrook

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Tagged: letter to the editor