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The Independent Retailers Shared Services Cooperative (IRSSC) created our BUY-LOCAL Loyalty Program to help lower costs for consumers while also ensuring farmers are paid fairly for their hard work. The IRSSC created this program in response to the worldwide challenges created by Covid and reduced crop production. © The Independent Retailers Shared Services Cooperative founded…

Grass-fed Beef, Pasture Raised Pork & Poultry right here in Union, Maine! The Common Market is excited to be working with Green Meadow Farm, which is situated on 180 acres in Union, Maine. Did you know… — Grass-fed beef contains up to six times more Omega-3 fatty acids than grain-fed beef. Omega-3 fatty acids help…

United Charitable has been awarded a 2021 USDA Farm to School Turnkey Grant through its fiscally sponsored program, ReTreeUS. This grant will enable ReTreeUS to support 10 schools throughout the state of Maine with ReTreeUS’ Back to School Garden program. This program solves major issues confronting school gardens, especially summer maintenance, while generating abundant harvests…

The IRSSC has been providing technical assistance to a group of farmers in Maine for over 32 months at no charge; the IRSSC has invested well over 475 hours into researching and mentoring our clients. Additionally we were successful in securing a large grant from a private donor to support the project. Our clients are…

The IRSSC is extremely grateful to have been working with Gary Sukeforth, principal owner of The Common Market, located at 40 Burkett Road, Union, Maine, for well over 9 years. Gary’s been a long-term founding member of the IRSSC, serving as an adviser, and is now retiring. The IRSSC facilitated the transition of his business…

The IGC of Maine have a new video on TV and YouTube. You can watch it here, too. The organization is pleased to announce that they have a new web site as well: https://igcofmaine.com . IRSSC congratulates them on their efforts to increase awareness of local garden centers and urging customers to support independent businesses.…

We foresee working with Bad Adz, Shophero, and locally owned businesses impacted by the pandemic in a coordinated public relations campaign to help increase the gross sales for those businesses impacted. Our project will help make jobs more secure and enhance food security and education at the same time by leveraging our strengths with local…

Promoting healthy gardening and landscaping practices to the consumers in Maine, while introducing the fall planting concept (especially for these difficult times following the Covid-19 pandemic). The Maine Landscape and Nursery Association (MELNA) will expand the market of horticulture specialty crops in Maine by increasing summer and fall sales by continuing to work with the…

In the midst of a global pandemic, the unsung heroes are grocery stores, suppliers, and foodbank workers too… They are on the front lines during the COVID-19 outbreak, making sure people have access to food and other products, sanitizing stores and warehouses around the clock. It’s hard work that should never go unnoticed! Employees at…

Kudos to Oakland Parks and Recreation Director, Eric Seekins, and to Steve Phair, owner of Buddies Meats & Groceries and a founding IRSSC board member.  Check out what they’re doing to help their community!   Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels