For more information, contact: Jim Wilkins, Director of Advancement
jwilkins@community-concepts.org
(207) 333-6400

New Natural Food Store Opens in Poland, Maine

Poland, Maine – “Eat Local, Buy Local, Be Local” may not be the motto for the new owners of the Square Roots Natural Foods store in Poland, Maine, but it might as well be. Poland native Zakk Maher and his wife Emmy Andersson recently opened Square Root Natural Foods to offer healthy foods that are grown or raised within 100 miles of their Route 26 location.

“We want our customers to know the value of their food and to enjoy the bounty of our local farmers,” said Zakk Maher. His wife, Emmy, commented that “It is important for us to be rooted in our community and to help support the local economy. So we will be buying as much from local suppliers as we can.”

Financing for the new business owners came from Community Concepts Finance Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Community Concepts, Inc. and Northeast Bank.

Dennis Lajoie, Director of the Community Concepts Finance Corporation, believes Square Root Natural Foods is a great investment for the community. “Zakk and Emmy want to make a difference for their customers by offering great products and for the local farmers, by giving them a local outlet to sell their fruits, vegetables and meats in a small personalized market.”

Food bought and sold within 100 miles supports the local farm economy, saves on fuel and transportation costs and helps to reduce the carbon footprint associated with growing and buying food. In addition to local fresh fruits, vegetables and meats, Square Root Natural Foods offers a wide variety of dry goods, herbs and spices, frozen foods, vitamin supplements and healthy snacks. The store also has a great selection of gluten free products for those with sensitivity to wheat.

The couple and their 19-month old daughter Elsa, will celebrate the opening of their new store with a community open house on Saturday, March 20th, 2010. The store will open at 10 AM and a formal ribbon cutting event will start at noon. In addition to live, local folk music, Mr. Dana Lee, Town Manager for Poland, Selectman from the town and other special guests will be there to welcome the Square Roots Natural Foods store to Poland.

The store, located at 1399 Maine Street (Route 26) in Poland is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM, Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM.

An important piece of being “rooted in the community” is giving back, so Maher and Andersson will donate a portion of the grand opening day profits to Poland’s Ricker Library. “This is a new tradition that we plan on carrying out every year on the anniversary of the store opening,” said Ms. Andersson.

Community Concepts Finance Corporation offers small business lending and technical assistance throughout Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford Counties. For more information, contact Joe Balchunas, Business Loan Officer, at 207-739-6548 or jbalchunas@community-concepts.org.
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For more information:
Angela Smith at 207.272.6894
Tim Hobbs at 207.769.5061

Presque Isle, Maine — Maine has always played a vital role in the nation’s seed potato industry, exporting tens of thousands of tons of Maine certified seed potatoes to states up and down the East Coast, and internationally, each year. More than 100 growers from across Maine ship 100+ varieties to places all over the map. Recently, however, commercial grower Daniel Corey sent seed potatoes to a new address: Epcot. Yes, as in the Walt Disney World Resort theme park.

Epcot plans to use the seed potatoes to develop a suitable hydroponic potato growing method (growing plants in pots) and to select the right varieties so that potatoes could potentially be included in The Land pavilion. This attraction entertains millions of guests every year aboard the Living with the Land boat ride – a 14-minute experience showcasing major agricultural crops from around the world.

Corey, who operates Daniel Corey Farm in Monticello, Maine, believes beyond a shadow of a doubt Epcot will meet with success. “Our seed potatoes will grow there. Florida is our biggest customer of seed potatoes, and we know what works,” said Corey. “Our seed potato industry is second to none…our potatoes will be part of The Land.”

Corey is excited about working with Epcot, namely because it is one more way to promote Maine’s potato industry – and to educate people around the world. “Many people don’t even realize potatoes start out in a test tube, using the eye of a potato,” he said. “Many potatoes, even those grown in other states, get their start right here in Maine.”

Corey donated Lachipper, Atlantic, Peter Wilcox, Harley Blackwell, Red Lasoda, NY 129, Yukon Gold seed potatoes. These varieties consist of reds, whites, yellows, purple, potato chip, and table varieties.

There are about 380 potato growers in Maine, from Aroostook County to the western mountain region around Bethel and Fryeburg. The total impact of the potato industry on the state’s economy is $540 million in sales, 6100 jobs, over $230 million in personal income, and over $32 million in state and local taxes. For more information visit www.mainepotatoes.com.
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