We Believe in Food Justice for All
Together we are growing a Maine where our diverse communities are connected and nourished by fresh, culturally familiar food and growing space is accessible to all.
Food is more than a human right…
Food is culture
Food is connection
Food is collective liberation
50
stipended Youth Leadership Interns every year
3,000
elementary school students with hands on garden education
Over 485
people growing together in community gardens every year
$173,846
in SNAP/EBT and WIC sales matched dollar for dollar in 2023
60
new immigrant families growing on 2 community farms
$107,992
in culturally important crops delivered to food pantries in 2023
Get involved
Our community makes all of our work possible. Join us!
Updates
Announcing USDA Funding to Build Raised Beds
This project is an exciting next phase of our partnership with the City’s Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department to ensure that Portland’s 11 community gardens are safe and accessible. We are happy to announce that we have secured funding through the Maine Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for the next 3 garden rebuilds!
June 2024 News
Exciting news for school gardens! We’re happy to announce that, in collaboration with the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, Cultivating Community is launching a new initiative to support Portland Public Schools students and gardens. After a challenging school budget process, we’re stepping up to fill a gap so that all 3,000 elementary school students continue to have vibrant outdoor learning spaces. We’re excited to work with the 9 PPS elementary schools to uplift Wabanaki and STEAM curriculum and hands-on outdoor experiences.
May 2024 News
Earlier this month the City of Portland conducted soil testing at the Libbytown Community Garden and found elevated levels of arsenic and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). Each garden has a unique history, and while testing had been done previously, this testing – which measured the levels of more than 90 potential contaminants – was more comprehensive.
April 2024 News
his week we had a devastating setback to our farming season: For the second year, we had partnered with a local greenhouse to grow seedlings to supplement what we produce at Hurricane Valley Farm, but sadly, they have closed, breaking our contract without warning, and we are scrambling.
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Header photo by Greta Rybus
