Community Suppers at Robert's Maine Grill to benefit Seacoast Eat Local's SNAP/EBT Program

PORTSMOUTH — Robert's Maine Grill, in Kittery, Maine, will host a “Community Supper” on April 24th & May 1st to help support Seacoast Eat Local

Seacoast Eat Local connects people with sources of locally grown foods and advocates eating locally for the health of our environment, community, culture and economy. Through advocacy, organizing and education, we work toward a sustainable local food system that meets the needs of both producers and consumers.

Every Tuesday & Wednesday night Robert’s Maine Grill, Route 1, in Kittery offers a “Community Supper” starting at 4PM. The main focus of the supper is a $14, 3 course menu – a mid-week “recession buster” offering. The menus are in the spirit of Robert’s style: Maine Comfort Food with an updated twist. Robert’s regular dinner menu is also available. To add to the community spirit of it, each Tuesday & Wednesday Robert’s donates a portion of proceeds from the evening to a local non-profit. Upcoming Community Supper menus are posted at www.robertsmainegrill.com.

The Community Suppers that will benefit Seacoast Eat Local will take place April 24th & May 1st reservations are recommended.

Last Winter Farmers' Market of the Season!

Last Winter Farmers' Market of the Season!

You are invited to the final winter farmers' market of the season on Saturday, April 13th at Exeter High School, Exeter, NH from 10am-2pm. As another season of winter farmers' markets wraps up, it’s a good time to reflect on the importance of eating local; as the O Magazine once said, “If you want to change the world, change what you eat.” Choose any of the delicious locally grown and produced foods below for a springtime treat!

Spring dug parsnips have been underground all winter turning their starches into sugars, and are dug as soon as the soil thaws in the spring. During the winter freeze, their starches turn to sugars as a means of the plant protecting itself. The result is tender, sweet parsnips that are a unique treat to this time of year. Try these recipes.

Eggs are in abundance, with chickens laying very productively during the spring. Fresh eggs last for five weeks in the refrigerator, so it’s time to stock up! Eggs are nutritious and switching to local eggs makes a positive impact on our environment. Here are some great recipe ideas for eggs for dinner.

Greens are flourishing in the increasing day length. From familiar greens like salad mix, spinach, Swiss chard, kale, and beet greens to interesting varieties of Asian greens, these delicious greens are always a highlight of the markets.

SNAP/EBT benefits are welcomed at the market, and customers can also use Debit cards. 

Consumers can continue to participate in the local food economy by attending the summer farmers’ markets. There are markets everywhere from Atkinson to York, every day of the week, and many start in May! Check the Seacoast Eat Local website for a complete calendar listing.

The April 13^th market is generously underwritten by Exeter Hospital, and supported by Valicenti Organico, Chappell Tractor, and Farm Credit East. Seacoast Eat Local connects people with sources of locally grown foods and advocates eating locally for the health of our environment, community, culture and economy.  Through advocacy, organizing and education, they work toward a sustainable local food system that meets the needs of both producers and consumers.  They organize winter farmers’ markets, produce Seacoast Harvest, sponsor workshops and events, and provide information through their email newsletter, blog, and website, www.seacoasteatlocal.org.

Seacoast - CSA Days at the market, meet farmers and sign up for a share of the season's harvest

Seacoast Eat Local is proud to announce CSA Days at its February Winter Farmers’ Market on Saturday, February 9 at the Exeter High School in Exeter, NH and Saturday, February 23 at Wentworth Greenhouses in Rollinsford, NH. Both markets run from 10am-2pm.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a food production and distribution system that directly connects farmers and consumers. The term has become so well-used that CSA now also refers to an individual farm’s CSA program. Basically, consumers buy "shares" in a farm's harvest in advance and receive regular allotments of food throughout the growing season. This way, farmers earn important early-season capital as well as a ready market and community of supporters. Shareholders join in the risks of the growing season but reap the benefits of the harvest, including field-fresh produce and greater access to high-demand fruits and vegetables, not to mention rare and heirloom varieties.

Each CSA has its own pricing structure and distribution schedule. Most require a seasonal buy-in and offer weekly pick-ups or even an option for location pick-up. Some programs offer flexible choice, farm stand shares, or add-ons such as meat, bread, or dairy. Many CSAs also offer farm visits, u-pick days, and other special events for members.

Consumers interested in more information about how to pick a CSA can find a list of questions on the Seacoast Eat Local website (www.seacoasteatlocal.org) they might want to consider and ask farmers at the CSA Days, such as how much produce is in a share, what foods can be expected, and how many weeks the share is for.

CSA Farms at the February 9 Exeter market include: Blue Bell Greenhouse, Brookford Farm, Heron Pond Farm, Maggie Mae Farm, Meadow's Mirth, Mildred's Drumlin Farm, Red Manse Farm, Stout Oak Farm, Wake Robin Farm, Wild Miller Gardens, and Willow Pond Community Farm.

CSA Farms at the February 23 Rollinsford market include: Bartlett Farm Services, Brookford Farm, Heron Pond Farm, Meadow's Mirth, Mildred's Drumlin Farm, Red Manse Farm, Sirois Family Farm, Touching Earth Farm, Two Toad Farm, and Wake Robin Farm.

CSAs offer a terrific way for people to get a steady supply of fresh, local food directly from the producers while creating a relationship of mutual support between farmer and eater. There are a lot of diverse options for pick-up locations, share structures, available foods, and farm involvement. The community is encouraged to come to CSA Days to find the right option for them.

The February 9^th market is generously underwritten by Exeter Hospital, and supported by Bikram Yoga and Farm Credit East.  The February 23^rd market is generously underwritten by Wentworth Greenhouses and Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, and supported by Farm Credit East. CSA Days at the markets is generously supported by Veris Wealth Partners.  Anyone interested in the dates and locations for upcoming markets, as well as more information and a vendor list for each one, should go to www.seacoasteatlocal.org.

Seacoast Eat Local connects people with sources of locally grown foods and advocates eating locally for the health of our environment, community, culture and economy.  Through advocacy, organizing and education, they work toward a sustainable local food system that meets the needs of both producers and consumers.  They organize winter farmers’ markets, produce Seacoast Harvest, sponsor workshops and events, and provide information through their email newsletter, blog, and website, www.seacoasteatlocal.org.

Seacoast School of Technology New Student/Parent Information Night

Regional Career & Technical Center opens its doors to parents and community

Exeter - The Seacoast School of Technology (SST) in Exeter invites all area students, parents, community members and employers to its annual New Student/Parent Information Night on Wednesday, February 13^th from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

SST provides career and technical education programs designed to empower students by teaching them tangible, marketable skills.  Many of the programs are taught at the college level and enable students to earn college credit while completing their high school graduation requirements.  Over 75% of SST students will continue their education after graduation, and their technical, hands-on training makes them uniquely ready for both college and career.

Students from Epping, Exeter, Newmarket, Raymond, Sanborn Regional and Winnacunnet High Schools are eligible to choose from 12 different programs including Animal and Plant Science, Automotive Technologies, Biotechnology, Building Construction Technologies, Computer Programming, Culinary Arts, Digital Communications, Early Childhood Education, Health Science Technologies, Marketing Technologies, Pre-Engineering and Welding Technologies.

This year’s New Student/Parent Information Night will help students and their parents understand how combining a career and technical program with a traditional high school curriculum can better prepare students for life after graduation.  Staff will be on hand to give tours of the campus and to answer questions about the unique opportunities available to students at SST.  A special invitation is extended to middle school students and their parents to come and learn how technical education can be a part of their high school plans.

The Seacoast School of Technology is located at 40 Linden Street in Exeter.  Open House guests are asked to park either on the Tuck Learning Campus, or behind the former Exeter High School Annex.  For more information about the SST New Student/Parent Information Night, please call 775-8461 or visit www.SeacoastTech.com.

Open House Seacoast School of Technology

Regional Career& Technical Center opens its doors to parents and community

Exeter - The Seacoast School of Technology (SST) in Exeter invites all area parents, community members, and employers to its annual Open House on Wednesday, October 3. The Open House will be a drop-in event from 6:00 – 7:30 pm, with formal classroom presentations occurring at 6:00 pm and 6:45 pm.

SST provides career and technical education programs designed to empower students by teaching them a tangible, marketable skill. Many of the programs are taught at the college level and enable students to earn college credit while completing their high school graduation requirements. Over 75% of SST students will continue their education after graduation, and their technical, hands-on training makes them uniquely ready for both college and career.

Students from Epping, Exeter, Newmarket, Raymond, Sanborn Regional, and Winnacunnet High Schools take courses in one of 12 different subject areas including Animal and Plant Science, Automotive Technologies, Biotechnology, Building Construction Technologies, Computer Programming, Culinary Arts, Digital Communications, Early Childhood Education, Health Science Technologies, Marketing Technology, Pre-Engineering, and Welding Technologies.

This year’s Open House will offer an opportunity to tour our newly renovated, state-of-the-art facilities that include a 13-bay automotive technologies building, aquaculture tanks, greenhouse, cutting-edge biotechnology lab, restaurant-grade kitchen and dining service facilities, and much more. Teachers and staff will be on hand to give tours of the campus and to answer questions about the unique opportunities available to students at SST. A special invitation is extended to middle school students and their parents to help them plan how a technical education will be a part of their high school plans.

The Seacoast School of Technology is located at 40 Linden Street in Exeter. Open House guests are asked to park either on the Tuck Learning Campus, or behind the former Exeter High School Annex. For more information about