Local Growing Community
Local Purchasing
Local purchasing is elemental to Bowdoin's sustainability mission for two reasons- environmental and community impact. Sourcing locally reduces the miles that food travels to get to the plate here in Brunswick and therefore reduces the emission of carbon dioxide by the burning of fossil fuels. Buying from local farms and businesses keeps money in the local economy which provides jobs and strengthens connections within our community.
We have worked hard to find farms and companies that can provide our needs within the state or the New England region. Presently Bowdoin strives to source 20% of our food purchases from local vendors.
Dining Service purchases from these local vendors:
Backyard Farms, Madison- Bowdoin buys the vfrom this Massachusetts company.ast majority of its tomatoes from Backyard Farms in Madison, Maine where tomatoes are always in season in their 42 acre hydroponic greenhouse.
Baker Brook Farm Creamery, Windham- 99% of the milk, including flavored milk, half and half, and cream, served at Bowdoin comes from Baker Brook Farm, only 45 minutes from campus.
Baxter Brewing, Lewiston
Bixby Chocolate, Rockland- Find it at the C-Store
Bob’s Peanuts & Candy Company, Lewiston- Find it at the C-Store.
Flight Deck Brewing, Brunswick
Geary Brewing Company, Portland
Gifford’s Ice Cream, Skowhegan
Green Thumb Farms, Fryeburg- Bowdoin sources dry beans from Green Thumb.
Greenwood Orchards, Turner- In season apples and cider served at Bowdoin come from Greenwood Orchards in nearby Turner, Maine.
Gromaine, Woodland- Bowdoin buys leafy greens from Gromaine, co-founder Tristan Noyes is a Bowdoin alum!
Harbor Fish Market, Portland- Some Maine shellfish served at Bowdoin comes from local institution Harbor Fish.
Heiwa Tofu, Rockport- Bowdoin purchases all tofu served in the Dining Halls in the from Heiwa. Heiwa tofu is handcrafted in small batches here in Maine using organic, non-GMO soybeans grown on Maine and New England farms.
Irving Farms, Caribou- We buy Maine potatoes from Irving Farms.
L&P Bisson & Sons, Topsham- At Bowdoin we make our own ground beef in our meat shop. All the beef trim for this comes from Bisson’s. We also purchase natural casings for our homemade sausage!
Lepage Bakeries, Lewiston- Most bread in the dining halls comes from Lepage.
Mac’s Gourmet Popcorn, Lisbon- Find it at the C-Store
Maine Beer Co., Freeport
Maine Grains, Skowhegan- Bowdoin serves Maine Grains oatmeal in our dining halls every morning!
Maine Needham Company, Saco- Find it at the C-Store.
McCrum Farm Fries, Belfast and Washburn- These fries, served at Magee’s, are made with Maine grown potatoes!
North Country Smokehouse, Claremont, NH- Bacon served at Magee’s come from this family-owned smokehouse.
Original Pizza, Auburn- At Magee’s!
Pineland Farms, New Gloucester- We buy and serve delicious cheese from Pineland Farms!
PJ Merrill Seafood Inc. , Portland- Another great Maine source for local fish when available.
R. Belanger and Sons, Lewiston-Bowdoin purchases potatoes and seasonal produce from Belanger’s. Most homemade potato dishes served in the dining halls are made with Maine potatoes from Belanger’s.Seacoast Coffee, Newcastle- Bowdoin proudly buys and serves Seacoast coffee, including organic and fair trade options.
Shipyard Brewing Company, Portland
Spear’s Farm, Waldoboro- Most of our butternut squash comes from Spear’s where we also purchase seasonal produce.