Betsy Saunders and John Halpin are bringing unusual gourmet goods to Harpswell, and they can’t wait for locals and travelers to try them out.
The couple is setting up their Joy Farm Pantry pop-up stand at the corner of Mountain Road and Route 24 most weekends this summer. In a small tent overflowing with colorful jars and bags of food, they sell jalapeno cheddar grits and make-at-home tiramisu kits and Bombay Spice potato chips with 29 different spices.
Halpin and Saunders have lived on Joy Farm, on Long Point Road, year-round since 2010. Saunders’ family bought the property in 1960, making them just the third family to own the farmhouse since it was built in 1767, according to the couple.
While they don’t farm the land, they have been selling artisanal pantry goods for almost 20 years. They began by finding interesting products in the western U.S. and selling them online.
In addition to their online store and weekend pop-ups, Saunders and Halpin do pop-ups to benefit nonprofit organizations. A favorite beneficiary is Harpswell’s radio station, WHPW 97.3 FM, which they co-founded.
When collecting goods to sell, they seek out interesting products not available in a typical grocery store, as well as items useful for travelers — quick and easy meals you can make in a hotel room or at a campsite, or snacks perfect for a road trip. The couple samples many of the goods themselves when they travel.
“We’re both cooks, so we love having all these things to play with and experiment with, and give people ideas about how to use them,” Halpin said.
They also prioritize organic foods with “clean” ingredients, and try to buy goods from companies that follow sustainable practices or support charitable causes. Many of their products are gluten-free or vegan.
One of their favorite components of the business is meeting new people and watching them experience new flavors or learn about new foods.
“On any given day, we have a few samples or more that people can taste, and that’s really fun because sometimes the reaction is delightful,” Halpin said. Occasionally customers are “startled” by an unfamiliar flavor, he added.
Saunders and Halpin also enjoy working with customers to find products that suit their needs. At home or on the road, they often experiment with new products, preparing meals so they have firsthand knowledge to share with customers.
Another part of their business, called Joy FarmScape, sells porcelain pavers and specialty tiles for patios and other home projects. Next to their pop-up stand, they have tiles on display, including a line that features \nautical charts of Harpswell. They can make any chart from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration into tiles.
The property where Joy Farm Pantry pops up is owned by Drew Donley. He plans to build a general store and a “makerspace” — a public workshop for creatives and craftspeople — at the site. He might add a pizzeria later. And he hopes to continue welcoming vendors like Joy Farm.
“That’s the vibe I’m looking for,” Donley said about the couple’s stand and his vision for the property.
Halpin and Saunders plan to bring their unique products to Harpswell Friday-Sunday for most of the summer, weather permitting. They also set up shop at the Montsweag Flea Market in Woolwich on Wednesday mornings. At both locations, customers can pick up items ordered from their online store.
The couple’s goal is to offer “something for everybody,” Saunders said, including dogs, who might find some treats they like.
“You look at the ingredients in these products and they’re really clean,” Halpin said. “They’re well thought out, they taste good, and what else do we need to have?”
