Wayside Community Gardens

Above, in 2011 South Portland's Liberty Bryer donated space for a garden that provided Wayside with fresh produce.

Wayside's Hunger-Fighting Programs

Wayside is fighting hunger in Maine on a number of fronts. 2011 projects have included:

  • Community Gardens: Provides fresh produce, which is grown in donated, local garden space. Volunteers work through the growing season, planting and harvesting nutritious food, which is distributed through food rescue and also used in the Community Meals program. 
  • Community Supplemental Food Program: Provides free monthly food for eligible Mainers over age 60. To learn more.
  • Healthy Snacks: Provides healthy snacks to kids at five Portland Community Policing Centers. In 2010, 13,052 lbs of snacks were distributed.

Community Supplemental Food Program

Free 30-pound bag of food for people 60+

Wayside is collaborating with the Southern Maine Agency on Aging to become a Distributing Partner for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which was launched by the Maine Department of Agriculture and the State Office of Elder Services. Every month the CSFP provides eligible aging adults who enroll through SMAA with a free 30-pound bag of food including such items as ready-to-eat cereal, dry beans, canned meat & canned fruits and vegetables. To qualify, recipents must:

  • be 60 or older.
  • have an income at or under $1,174 per month for one person; or $1,580 per month for two.

Boxes must be picked up each month at locations in Portland, Bridgton, Naples, Windham, South Windham, Raymond, Falmouth, Freeport and Westbrook.

To apply, please print out an application form, complete it, and send it to: Edward Trainer, Southern Maine Agency on Aging, 136 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074. If someone else will be picking-up your food for you as your proxy, you will need to print out, complete and send in a proxy form as well.

To learn more about this program, please call Wayside at 775-4939