Food Justice
Collective Gardens
Food AND Medicine sustains 40 collective gardens in the Bangor region. These gardens are located at Public Housing complexes, sober houses, recovery spaces, faith centers, and mobile home co-ops.
Each garden is an independent decision-making entity, that chooses what they grow, and how they distribute the produce.
Solidarity Harvest
Solidarity Harvest is a project organized by Food AND Medicine and sponsored by the Eastern Maine Labor Council that distributes locally-sourced meal baskets in late November, each with nearly 30 pounds of produce, which is enough food for 8-10 people. The first Solidarity Harvest was in 2003, when we distributed 100 meals; in 2025, we distributed 1,675. Over 200 volunteers and over 100 organizations, including unions, faith organizations and other nonprofits were involved.
Solidarity Harvest began in 2003 in response to a landslide of mill closings that left thousands of workers without jobs. Since then, unions, farmers, faith communities, volunteer organizations, and businesses have come together each year to provide locally-grown and purchased food to laid-off workers and families who have hit hard times.
Labor
Labor Day
Food AND Medicine, alongside the Eastern Maine Labor Council, host an annual Labor Day Celebration, with food and speakers on Labor day
Civic Engagement
Canvassing
In 2025, we knocked over 3000 doors to oppose question 1 and support local municipal candidates. A strong field program, is key to electing people who will fight for low and working-class Mainers.
Legislative Breakfast
The annual Legislative Breakfast event is another way that we bring the low-income and working community in direct contact with our elected officials. Co-hosted with the Eastern Maine Labor Council, this event typically brings 8-10 state legislators from our region to discuss a number of topics in the current legislature that affect unions and low-income communities with those directly affected.
Housing
Housing Action Team
Food AND Medicine’s newest program Housing Action Team, launched in 2026. Maine’s housing crisis needs local groups taking action and advocating for affordable and efficient housing. The group meets monthly on the second Tuesday.
Resource fair
Our monthly resource fair brings together local providers to one space every month. Every Second Wednesday from 9-12 at the Bangor Public Library, people can come and receive information about local programs and organizations all at once.