More than 60 people attended the annual meeting of Rising Tide Community Market, March 6 in Lincoln Academy’s Dining Commons, during which members nominated three new board members, received an update on the store’s first year in its new location, and discussed the possible purchase of a 75-acre parcel of land once sought by Walmart.
Rising Tide, one of five cooperative food markets in Maine, boasts close to 3000 members and total annual sales of $3.85 million. Founded in 1978, the cooperative, has operated out of several different Damariscotta locations, and in 2009, moved to its new home in the former Strong Chevrolet building on Bus. Rt. 1. Much of Sunday’s meeting was devoted to providing a review of the market’s first full year of operation in the new location.
General co-manager Scott Cooper said that the move has been an overwhelming success, and that sales have increased by over 20 percent. He also said that while $780,000 of last year’s sales were in local products, much more needs to be done to increase the availability of local foods. To that end, Rising Tide board members are now considering the purchase of land for a community farm, an idea that sparked mixed reviews from members.
Specifically, board members are considering purchase of the Phillips property on Bus. Rt. 1, the same parcel of land Walmart attempted to buy in 2006. While Cooper did not divulge the current asking price, he did explain that The Maine Farmland Trust is currently planning to purchase the land, with the goal of ensuring agricultural and conservation easements, and then placing the land back on the market for resale, with easements in place.
According to Cooper, The Maine Farmland Trust would work with the Damariscotta River Association to secure the easements, which would include public access hiking trails. If the plan is successful, Rising Tide would then purchase the land from the Maine Farmland Trust, with the goal of eventually establishing a community farm.
“It’s intriguing to think that this land, which was going to be a super Walmart, and send most of its profits out of the community, could instead be land that actually feeds the community,” Cooper said.
Both Cooper and board chair Mark Ward were careful to qualify that the idea is only in initial stages of discussion, and far from a done deal. Still, Cooper was clearly excited about the possibility of becoming “a model for sustainability and food security.” Cooper mentioned two other co-ops that have recently undertaken similar efforts with success; Weaver’s Way Co-op in Pennsylvania and Wedge Co-op in Minnesota.
Cooper said Rising Tide is still importing much of its produce from California, Mexico and elsewhere, and that he would like to see much more produce purchased locally. “This could be a new model for how we feed our community,” he said.
While again clarifying that the plan is only in very rough stages of development, Cooper did share initial ideas for growing produce, producing hay and elderberries, and establishing an area for pick-your-own raspberries, blueberries and strawberries.
While many members were enthusiastic about the idea, others expressed concern. Local farmer Brendan McQuillen of Morning Dew Farm said that while he understood the power of the Walmart story, and the possibility of turning that same land into community farmland, he was concerned about whether the plan was realistic.
“I’d like to run the numbers,” he said, and added, “It could take two-three years of soil mending” before the land is able to be farmed.
Newcastle’s Rob Nelson said, “It’s kind of scary to think about starting a new business when we’ve just completed the move.” Nelson wondered if other arrangements could be made for the land, in partnership with entities like the Genesis Community Loan Fund.
Damariscotta’s Derek DeGeer sought reassurance about the store’s financial position, while Jenny Begin, also of Damariscotta, said, “We need to focus on providing affordable local produce and supporting local farmers. Let the farmers do their thing.”
Damariscotta’s Robert Haas Tobey spoke in favor of the farm plan, and said that his grandparents fed their large family from a subsistence farm on Damariscotta Lake, raising almost everything they needed, and trading apples for the rest.
“These are skills that I have no knowledge of,” Tobey said. “As a species, we’ve got to be able to grow our food locally and have a secure food system.”
Newcastle’s Jenny Mayher spoke in favor of the proposal, receiving applause from many members when she said, “Don’t underestimate the power of imagination. For a membership organization to save a piece of land like this; there’s a power in that vision that will spark generosity and creativity. We need to dream big.”
Member Ed Small suggested that the board hold further meetings to discuss the issue. “We need to be further informed and have more opportunity for feedback,” he said.
Another member echoed Small’s statement, saying: “If the board is going to make a decision, it better be with the consent of the governed.” Although no meeting was immediately scheduled, Ward assured members that more conversations would take place, with member input.
In other business, Community Fund Chairperson Kent Whitaker provided an update on the store’s community investment fund, which currently has an endowment of $15,000. In the past year, the fund has made cash grants of several hundred dollars to Healthy Kids, Spectrum Generations, and the Community Energy Fund, while the store has also donated food to local schools and food banks. Whitaker and Tobey were both nominated to the board of directors, along with Sarah Buchwalder of Bristol. Paper ballots will be mailed to members later this month.
