FALMOUTH — With only a two-week break after the busy summer markets, local farmers and craftsmen will gear up for their first winter farmers market in West Cumberland and Falmouth starting in November.

Leslie Fitzgerald, market manager of the Cumberland Farmers Market Association, said the two markets will be available for customers throughout the fall and winter months.

The Falmouth market will be at Allen, Sterling & Lothrop, 191 Route 1, Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning Nov. 4. The West Cumberland market will be at Skillins Greenhouses on Route 100 on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Nov. 6.

“Even with a winter market as close as Fort Andros and Granite Farm, we found our customers could benefit from a market in this area,” Fitzgerald said. “We don’t want them to have to travel through the snow and ice all winter.”

The slogan for the winter market is “East and West, We Have You Covered.” Fitzgerald said the winter markets will cover the towns to the east and west of Cumberland, the original farmers market location.

“Many of the farmers and crafters look to the winter months as a time to catch up,” she said. “But this will be an opportunity for customers to enjoy fresh items through the winter, and a way for vendors make some money.”

There will be root vegetables, candles, soaps, artwork, gluten-free breads, smoothies and organic gourmet dog food to choose from.  

Fitzgerald said the winter markets will include some familiar faces, including Spring Brook, Valley View, New Elm, Longwoods Alpaca and Jillson farms, as well as Casco Bay Soap Co., Yo Mama’s Apron Strings and Afternoon Tea & Co., soon to be named Littleberry Farm.

A few new vendors will include Penny Farthing Farm from Windham, Growlin’ Gourmet dog food from Scarborough, glass jewelry and art from Grape Island Glass, Silvery Moon Creamery, and pottery from Brickyard Cove. The Craftin’ Scot will change her name to Dunn Movin’ Farm and will feature angora rabbits, and the granola, baked goods and smoothies of Livity Edibles from Portland’s Jeanette Richelson, who will mix the drinks by using her Fender Blender bicycle-powered blender.

“We live in a culture of choice,” Fitzgerald said. “People can choose where to go and what to purchase, we just give them the options.”

In addition to the weekly winter markets, Fitzgerald said there will be specialty markets, too. On Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14 and 15, there will be a pre-Christmas sale at Skillins in West Cumberland. The fourth annual Harvest Market will be on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mabel I. Wilson school in Cumberland. On Dec. 18 there will be a Yule Market at Skillins from 4-7 p.m. and Dec. 23 will be the Portland, Ore.-inspired Festival of the Last Minute Market.

Fitzgerald said the winter group is more local, but still includes 14 vendors in Falmouth and 24 vendors in West Cumberland.

“Throughout the winter, customers will be able to get baked goods, apples, cider, maple syrup and honey as well as all the tea, coffee, meats, eggs, and lettuce they enjoyed throughout the summer months,” Fitzgerald said. “It is a lot of work, but we are looking forward to it.”