Sent 04/17/2026 “Founded on the principles of private initiative, entrepreneurship and self-employment, underpinned by the values of democracy, equality and solidarity, the co-operative movement can help pave the way to a more just and inclusive economic order.” — Kofi Annan Hello friends! Several of the Rising Tide Team attended Cooperative Maine Business Alliance’s P6 conference last weekend. P6 stands for the 6th Cooperative principle: Cooperation Among Cooperatives. It was inspiring to connect with fellow cooperators. We joined together with not only other food co-ops but worker co-ops, farmer co-ops, service co-ops, housing co-ops, and even a new gym co-op. A few notable examples: Although very different on many levels the one thing we share as cooperatives is operating a business that focuses on keeping their money where it deserves to be; with the people that spend and earn from it. We are not all politically motivated, but all believe in local economic sovereignty. So, choosing to be a member-owner or to shop at a co-op isn’t just about buying high-quality local foods and goods and a friendly face. It’s about belonging to a business that supports your local economy. Cooperative businesses are for-profit, but our profits are for people that we serve. We are a community, not just a store or a buying club, and we hope you are proud to be a supporter of Rising Tide. photo courtesy of the Cooperative Maine Business Alliance Neighbors feeding neighbors! Thanks to everyone for rounding up those dollars at the register for Loving Local Meals and remember we will always accept additional funds to help feed our neighbors in need. As folks struggle with cost of living increases, your contributions are more important than ever. In March, Rising Tide shoppers donated a total of $1988.57. Thank you! Thanks to all that contributed to our Spring Into Action pasta and sauce drive. It was a big success! Shop for a cause! Every Wednesday Rising Tide donates .5% of our sales to a local non-profit voted on by our member-owners. In 2025, the Co-op donated a total of $7,945.04 to our Co-op for Community Day partners. Our March Co-op for Community Day (CCD) partner was Healthy Kids. Rising Tide donated $584.72 to their cause. This month CCD’s donation goes to Skidompha Library. Skidompha’s mission is “to support and enrich our community by fostering literacy, providing ready access to information and resources, encouraging lifelong learning, and promoting cultural and social interactions.” Never hesitate to reach out and remember to be kind to one another. We are all in this together. APRIL 30 2026 Wild & Scenic Film Festival The Wild & Scenic Film Festival inspires environmental activism and a love for nature–through film. Wild & Scenic shares an urgent call to action, encouraging its audiences to learn more about what they can do to save our threatened planet. The films focus on environmental topics: the beauty and awe of the natural world, wilderness, adventure, wildlife, and the people advocating for our planet all over the world. Purchase tickets here. Skidompha Library’s mission is to support and enrich our community by fostering literacy, providing ready access to information and resources, encouraging lifelong learning, and promoting cultural and social interactions.Skidompha serves the community both in person or through outreach, including partnerships with community organizations, in-person, and virtual learning opportunities, technology assistance, and the provision of meeting spaces. Our collection is diverse, expansive, and evolving. We commit to the continuous reassessment of the programs and services we provide. Healthy Lincoln County is recruiting a contractor to support its Summer Meals program. Apply today! The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation believes in giving back to our communities. By focusing on the needs that matter most to our neighbors and friends, we matter more in the daily lives of our fellow community members.Sign up for The Rising Times newsletter and get this great information straight in your email!
April 17, 2026
Loving Local Meals (LLM) concluded this season’s mission with Lincoln County Food Initiative (LCFI) at Kieve Wavus Education. This season, LCFI provided over 6,200 meals to local organizations. LLM donated 35 dozen eggs, 15 lbs. of frozen blueberries, 20 lbs. of parsnips, 50 lbs. of butternut squash, 60 lbs. of leeks, 285 lbs. of carrots, 575 lbs. of onions, 900 lbs. of potatoes, 150 whole chickens, and 482 lbs. of pork butt! All from local Maine farms!
Soon LLM will partner with Healthy Lincoln County and their Summer Meals Program as well as contribute local eggs to distribute at their share tables. As a member-owner you have the option to round up at the register every time without being asked. Talk to a front end team member or email me at outreach@risingtide.coop to set this up. In 2025, our Round Up Program raised $19,602.80 to LLM. 
Your grateful and amiable Outreach Coordinator,
Shannon Bailey
50 Random Acts Of KindnessSAVE MONEY AND CUT DOWN ON PLASTIC WASTE
BY SHOPPING BULK
SAVE THE DATE!
Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust invites you to the 9th annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival on Tour at Lincoln Theater in Damariscotta, Maine!
Every month, we donate .5% of our Wednesday sales to an organization nominated and voted on by our member-owners. That organization is also invited to come into Rising Tide and present information and takeaways for the public to be educated and aware of this organization’s efforts within our community.
APRIL’S PARTNER:
As a member-owner you have the option to round up at the register every time, without being asked. Talk to a front end team member, click on the graphic below, or email Shannon at outreach@risingtide.coop if you would like to set this up. Thanks!
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT HEALTHY LINCOLN COUNTY
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT SKIDOMPHA LIBRARY
Want to expand your palette, but don’t know where to start? Hate buying a whole jar of a spice you’re not even sure you’ll like? Try Skidompha’s new Spice of Life Collection! Starting the first Tuesday of each month, patrons will be able to take home a sample of the highlighted spice, two recipes on how to use it, and a suggested reading/history guide. All spices are donated by our kind sponsors at Rising Tide Co-op.
COMMUNITY MATTERS MORE
Vote during the month of April to help local nonprofits win a grant!
NEW!
SUPPORT LOCAL