I first learned of Rising Tide Co-Op in Damariscotta, Maine from One Hundred Dollars a Month reader Rachel when I was on the hunt for some Seville oranges for a batch of Seville orange marmalade I wanted to make.
Seville oranges are hard to come by and I knew I wouldn’t be able to find them at the big box stores and so I was pretty excited when I called Rising Tide Co-Op and they said, “Sure, we can place an order some for you, how many would you like.” 🙂
Rising Tide Co-Op has been around since the late 70’s and is big on buying from local farmers and producers as well as organic and hard to find items as well.
Check out those mushrooms!!
Bulk coffee and honey!
And check out their cheese selection. The case was filled with tons of local cheese. The HH tried some of the blue cheese and loved it.
Local yogurt sold in glass jars from Swallowtail Farm in North Whitefield, Maine. You can check their website out HERE.
And local beef from Caldwell Farms in Turner, Maine.
Rising Tide Co-Op even has a bulk spice section! I haven’t seen one of those since we left Washington.
And they also have a whole aisle dedicated to bulk foods as well. AWESOME! They have several other aisles too and a frozen food section filled with all sorts of organics and other items as well, but BULK FOOD… WAhooO!
They also have a huge wine section as well.
And you know a store is a good one if they carry your favorite decaf ginger peach tea! 🙂 Do you know how hard it is to find a store with a good tea section up here? One that sells something other than the typical stuff? I’m already looking forward to going back to buy more. 🙂
And another thing I though was interesting was that you could buy your shampoo/conditioner, liquid soap and detergent in bulk. I haven’t seen a store offering that in a long time. How cool is that?
So there you have it. Rising Tide Co-Op in Damariscotta, Maine. If you’re ever in the area you should stop by and check it out. We thought the store was pretty cool and I think you will too. 🙂
Have a wonderful day everyone,
~Mavis
Rising Tide Co-Op
323 Main St
Damariscotta, Maine
Christie says
What a great store! Every town needs a place like this.
Connie says
Love all the local and bulk. Our limited bulk items were taken down when covid hit last year. They do sell it in packages.
Elle says
We have a Co-Op similar to this. Love bulk foods and local foodstuffs 🙂
Diana says
We have a Co-op in my town and Rising Tide looks almost identical, though most of the local meats mine carries are frozen.
If you become a member at mine you get a 2% discount, and if you volunteer to work their you get an even bigger discount. My parent’s were members when I was a child and now my family has been a member for years. My youngest even worked their in college. It is pricey but for me, local and/or organic is worth it. I usually only go there for quick stock ups on produce and dairy usually and special items I can’t find anywhere else. Also for bulk grains.
My favorite part is that from May thru November they host a farmer’s market in their parking lot every Sunday (all local farmers of produce, meats, eggs, cheese, candles, honey, plants, soaps, etc.). It helps to supplement my own garden produce.
Pauline in Upstate NY says
Hey, Mavis — If you do make a return trip to the co-op in Damariscotta, make sure to add a stop at the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse to your list for the day. Truly one of my favorite places in the world…
Mavis Butterfield says
It’s on the list! 🙂 Thanks Pauline.
Jennifer says
I’m so envious! I haven’t seen a any bulk options since the pandemic started. I
Suzy says
Lauren at Swallowtail Farm is the best! Amazing products!
James Rancourt says
Hey Mavis,
I have noticed that you are going Gaga over the down East stuff. Hon, I’m 74 and have grown up with all of this from Maine down to my home in Mass. The only difference between here and there is the accent….you can understand us…LOL 🙂 So, now that you have had the time to experience and assimilate the Northeast, how do you compare it to the place you previously lived with their Draconian edicts as to what you can and cannot do? 🙂
Staci W says
I never heard of buying shampoo/conditioner, soap and detergent in bulk!? How does that work? By the ounce/pond? Do you take your own containers? Inquiring minds want to know, well… at least I do. 😀
Elle says
By the ounce.
Pam says
Love our Co-op! I try to buy everything I can from there
Ellen says
I think you would be surprised to know there are lots of co- ops in Maine. Portland, Norway, Belfast- for example. Also I am a member of 2 co- ops of locals- we band together to buy bulk foods , local Farmers food , meat, cheese, heat and eat, locally roasted coffee… this is in the little town of Bethel. Rising Tide looks great- look around though, they are everywhere in Maine. Good stuff and makes so much sense.
Liz Proffetty says
I love Rising Tide and shop there almost daily. I can tell you they are also a good place to work with decent pay and a great store discount to employees.
Lilypad says
Mavis, did you ever shop at a PCC in Washington? I don’t know if they have any as far south as you lived, but I shop at the one in Issaquah all the time. The bulk soaps and shampoos are what made me think of it. Unfortunately, their bulk foods are still not available. Also, that Equal Exchange Coffee in your photo—my husband lives on their Love Buzz coffee. Thankfully, we can still get that in bulk at PCC!
Karen Ramacca says
Hi Mavis,
I rent a cottage every year in Damariscotta and have been doing so for greater than 20 years. I have passed by Rising Tide several times on my stays but always thought it was for members only.
Can you give me some information about how I can shop there?
Thank you.
Mavis Butterfield says
It’s just like any other grocery store. No membership required. 🙂