Stutzman Farm selected as Down East pick for Best Farmstand

File photo/Piscataquis Observer  FRESH FROM THE OVEN — Former employee Teresa Myers brings out a pizza from Stutzman’s brick oven last summer. The oven is based on a design from the ancient Roman city of Pompeii. Myers is now farming full time and supplies pork for Stutzman’s café menu.

Contributed Article

 SANGERVILLE — Stutzman Farm in Sangerville has been named Editors’ Choice Best Farmstand in Down East magazine’s annual poll of reader and editor favorites, featured in the July issue.

 Thousands of Down East readers voted January through April for their statewide selections while editors went through a rigorous selection process of their own and Stutzman Farm was chosen as top in its category.

 The annual “Best of Maine” readers’ awards provide Down East readers the opportunity to recognize their favorite Maine people, places and things around the state. Based solely on popular vote, the readers’ choice winners represent the best of Maine as identified by those who know Maine the best: the state’s residents and repeat visitors. Equally invested in the state’s culture, editors choose their own favorites to receive recognition each year.

 “We are honored to be recognized by this award,” said Sid Stutzman, who owns and operates the business with his wife, Rainie. “We just focus on farming and serving the best food we can at our café. We have many loyal customers whom we appreciate. We are glad people like our fruit and veggies and hope more come to visit us.”

 The Stutzmans are also heavily involved in community activities such as Senior FarmShare where residents over age 60 are able to obtain fresh fruit and vegetables from local farms.

 On Friday, July 17, there will be a fund-raising buffet dinner with live music at Stutzman’s Café for Senior FarmShare, said Stutzman. “We have so many people waiting to get on the program’s list, so the money raised will help those seniors have fresh produce during the growing season. Many local businesses have been very generous to FarmShare; and for the seniors who participate, it really makes their day.

  Kathleen Fleury, Down East editor-in-chief, spoke of the selection process, saying, “Our readers love Maine for many different reasons, and the Readers’ Choice awards encourage them to show their support for the people and places that make the state so great. The selection process is one that everyone puts a lot of time and thought into – so it’s a true honor to be selected.”

 Stutzman Farm is a multi-generational operation that produces fruit and vegetables for its retail store, bakery and café. The main feature of the café is a huge wood-fired brick oven, based on a design from the ancient Roman city of Pompeii. “The oven cooks at 700 degrees,” said Rainie Stutzman, “so you can have a pizza in about five minutes.”

 Stutzman’s hosts an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet and a Sunday brunch that also features local musicians including Sid Stutzman.

 Rainie Stutzman recently introduced huevos rancheros to the breakfast buffet, a popular dish consisting of eggs, tortilla and salsa, a popular Southwestern dish served on many Mexican farms. “We want to offer items you won’t find at any other brunches,” she added. “We’re also picking strawberries, so we’re featuring individual strawberry shortcake on homemade biscuits.”

 Stutzman’s Farm and Café are open Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday brunch is served from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

 For more information and updates, visit Stutzman Farm’s Facebook page.