Gary Sukeforth is a retired businessman who lives in Appleton, Maine. For 21 years Gary owned and operated The Common Market Grocery store in the neighboring town, Union, Maine. He literally built the store from the ground up when Union lost its only grocery store to a tragic fire in 1997. He opened the store in February of 2000, and sold it and retired to his farm in the summer of 2021. He sold some of his farm produce through the store, including blueberries, winter squash, and pumpkins. He also had a herd of grass-fed Lowline Angus beef cattle that provided the store with locally raised natural beef.
Gary’s academic background in Agricultural Economics served him well in the management of the store and will also be an asset to the IRSSC Board of Directors. He has strong skills in financial management and business planning and forecasting. Gary also served for several years on the Board of Directors of Associated Grocers of Maine, Inc., his main grocery wholesaler during the first 12 years of The Common Market’s existence.
Gary has been actively involved in serving the local communities, including serving as the President of the Union Area Chamber of Commerce for several terms. He has also held several elected positions in his hometown of Appleton, including Selectman, School Board member, and also most recently on the town’s Budget Committee. He has previously served two non-consecutive terms in the Maine State Legislature as an unenrolled Independent State Representative.
