The Gardiner Food Co-op & Cafe is holding a grand opening at its downtown storefront Saturday with live music, food tastings, a raffle and kids’ activities.
The grocery store co-op, which has been open on Water Street since the end of May, will also be ceremonially awarded a $25,000 grant Saturday morning from the State Farm Neighborhood Assist Program for education and outreach programs, according to a release from the co-op.
The grand opening is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Opening the co-op was the longterm goal of Kennebec Local Food Initiative, a local food buying club in Gardiner that launched in 2011. Last year organizers announced their plan to open in downtown Gardiner.
Sarah Miller, a co-op board member and one of the founders of the buying club, said in the release, “It would not have been possible without the heartfelt dedication of many people — farmers and producers, volunteers, local food advocates and a multitude of other community members and groups. The co-op looks forward to deepening its roots in the years to come.”
The grocery store and cafe is open seven days a week, offering sandwiches, soups, coffee and espresso drinks on top of typical grocery items.
The co-op also received a federally funded $90,000 Community Development Block Grant earlier this year.
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