Heather passionately believes food businesses and cooperatives are a platform for positive change, community building, and sustainable economic development. Throughout her career she has created ways to find common ground through food to make a difference in people’s lives, culminating in her role since 2017 as the General Manager at Rising Tide Co-op in Damariscotta, Maine.
Her entrepreneurial spirit has fueled her passion over the years. On her journey, Heather was the Executive Director of FARMS, a farm to school program in midcoast Maine, and created the FARMS Community Kitchen at Rising Tide Co-op. She also initiated the Loving Local Meals initiative at Rising Tide Co-op in response to the Covid pandemic, established the first Lincoln County Food Council, and owned a vegan café and catering business. All along the way, Heather has been dedicated to listening, collaborating, and leading to positively change people’s lives through food. She believes that coupled with the important work of nonprofits, values-based businesses are a powerful force for building vibrant communities.
Most recently, Heather has been utilizing professional resources throughout the food and cooperative communities to further expand the positive impacts food can have on the Maine economy and healthy food access. Upgrades to our Kitchen and our food offerings are all part of that exciting ongoing process.