Thanks to funding from the Sewall Foundation since 2023, the Maine School Garden Network is proud to continue to offer School Garden Caretakers Grants that provide a $2,000 grant to pay School Garden Caretakers in Maine for their work!   In 2026, we have three grants available. One of the top ten results…

The IRSSC is pleased to support the Maine School Garden Network. The mission of the Maine School Garden Network is to promote and support educational gardens for youth, and to encourage school programs which teach healthy eating and environmental stewardship. Anyone can order their 2027 calendar in advance to be shipped…

As many of you know, the IRSSC has been collaborating with the State of Maine, including outreach to universities and colleges, as well as working with Flower Hill Institute and industry leader Dave Carter to explore workforce development solutions. Read more at Flower Hill Institute. Why Hands-On Meat Training Matters Retail…

We’re a proud supporter of the Buoy Local program as it supports Maine and New Hampshire businesses. Buoy Local®, powered by Bangor Savings Bank, is a rewards program designed to make supporting local businesses easier and more rewarding. By connecting your Bangor Savings Bank Debit Mastercard® to the Buoy Local app*…

We are pleased to have worked with the Independent Garden Centers of Maine and Plant Something Maine for ten years. Planting vegetables, herbs, flowers, trees and shrubs gives us good food as well as gets us outside and helps us feel positive and healthy; improves property values; gives Nature a helping…

The Independent Retailers Shared Services Cooperative would like to congratulate Estabrook’s for their commitment to growing and planting in the state of Maine. We are pleased to have worked with Estabrook’s, the Independent Garden Centers of Maine, and Plant Something Maine for ten years. Independent garden centers have had a tremendous…

IRSSC 2023-2024 Summary: The Independent Retailer Shared Services Cooperative continued to work with various food businesses (often 7 days a week) to navigate many challenges with respect to local businesses. We produced innovative marketing materials and have offered marketing resources available at a low cost through our social media marketing campaign,…

How to expand Maine’s base of core production to new product categories, such as sea vegetables, sustainable proteins, and meat processing: Job Growth: From 2018-2023, the Food Economy occupation in Maine with the most job growth was Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers, which added 716 jobs (+27%) in the Food…

  ReTreeUS planted it’s 100th educational orchard on Saturday, September 21st, at Beach Plum Farm in Ogunquit.   Visit https://www.retree.us/support-us for more news.   See the PDF: Back to School Gardens and ReTreeUs  

The IRSSC will be supporting this momentous occasion! Union Maine’s official website: Sestercentennial Committee (Union’s 250th Anniversary) – Union, ME (maine.gov) The IRSSC will be promoting local producers and businesses as well as the educational work that ReTreeUS is doing … all in support of this project: New England Food System Planners…