We Believe in Food Justice for All
Together we are growing a more equitable and sustainable food system in Southern Maine.
Food and the ability to grow it is a basic human right.
Founded in 2001, Cultivating Community is building a movement through programs that provide joyful outdoor educational experiences, fresh culturally important foods grown by and for immigrants and communities of color, and community growing spaces.
50
paid Youth Leadership Interns every year
3,000
Elementary school students with hands on garden education
Over 485
people growing together on public land every year
60
New immigrant families accessing land, support, and markets through 2 community farms
$116,781
in culturally important crops delivered to food pantries in 2023
$134,468
in SNAP/EBT and WIC sales and matched dollar to dollar in 2023
Get involved
Our community makes all of our work possible. Join us!
Updates
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.
March 2024 News
Temperatures are rising, the sap is flowing, seeds have arrived for ~40,000 culturally important starts, and community garden registration begins next week. This all means one thing: The growing season is right around the corner!
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Header photo by Greta Rybus