“He who wishes to secure the good of others, has already secured his own.” – Confucius 
As we welcome the new year, the team is reflecting on all the wonderful things Rising Tide accomplished both as a business and community over the last year and are looking forward to things coming in 2026. As many of you may already know, this month the Co-op is celebrating all things citrus, an indication of the brighter days ahead of us. Citrus symbolizes luck, abundance, joy, purification, and luxury. We wish all this for you in the coming year. 

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 to heat their homes and the demand for our food pantries increases, your contributions are more important than ever. In December, Rising Tide shoppers raised a total of $1501.79. This number declined dramatically from November. 

Loving Local Meals continues its mission with Lincoln County Food Initiative at Kieve Wavus, to provide meals to area food pantries. So far this season LLM has donated 20 dozen eggs, 15 lbs. of frozen blueberries, 20 lbs. of parsnips, 50 lbs. of butternut squash, 60 lbs. of leeks, 200 lbs. of carrots, 400 lbs. of onions, 650 lbs. of potatoes, 100 whole chickens, and 482 lbs. of pork butt!  All from local Maine farms! Last season, the Lincoln County Food Initiative provided over 5,300 meals to local organizations. Healthy Lincoln County continues to distribute local eggs 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, click on the graphic below, or email me at outreach@risingtide.coop if you would like to set this up.

This weekend as we prepare for some of the coldest temperatures Maine has seen in years with a potential of breaking records, many families must choose between heat or eat.  

If you are in the position to not have to choose, consider donating to one of these local organizations that supply heating assistance: Community Energy Fund of Lincoln County and CHiP, Inc. Visit Maine.gov if you need assistance. 

Shop for a cause! Every Wednesday Rising Tide donates .5% of our sales to a local non-profit voted on by our member-owners. Our December Co-op For Community Day partner was Midcoast Humane. Rising Tide donated $682.80 to their cause.  

This month’s Co-op For Community Day donation goes to The Community Investment Fund. This Rising Tide fund is distributed to local groups working on projects relating to sustainable agriculture and organic food, hunger and social issues, environmental protection and cooperatives. It is distributed by our Board of Directors. Please send inquiries to board@risingtide.coop.  

Never hesitate to reach out and remember to be kind to one another. We are all in this together. 50 Random Acts Of Kindness

Your grateful and amiable Outreach Coordinator, 
Shannon Bailey 

ALL MONTH!