Rising Tide Community Market in Damariscotta is gearing up for its holiday season Member-Owner Appreciation Week, starting Saturday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 12. Everyone in the community is welcome to attend the local foods sampling events scheduled throughout the week.

On Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to noon, Hootin’ Gluten Free Bakery of Damariscotta will be on hand with samples of their gluten-free breads and baked goods. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Freeport-based MarthaBars will offer samples of their delicious dark chocolate-covered bars, which contain fruit, nuts, seeds, and other nutritionally dense ingredients. During that time, Rosario’s will also offer samples of pesto made just down the road in Bristol.

Tic Tac Taco of Jefferson will be at Rising Tide on Dec. 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. with samples of their salsa. Tic Tac Taco has been a familiar fixture at the Common Ground Fair for the last several years and now offers their salsa for sale year-round.

On Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Driftless Sourdough will offer samples of their bread. Driftless Sourdough uses Maine- and New England-grown grains in their breads, which are baked in small batches in Alna.

Jefferson-based Tropical Maine will offer samples of their passion fruit maple syrup blend on Dec. 10, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Fans of sauerkraut and other fermented veggies won’t want to miss the visit from Thirty Acre Farm of Whitefield on Dec. 11, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 pm. Also on Friday, Cameron Clan will sample their all-natural kettle corn from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. During the summer, Cameron Clan sells their kettle corn in downtown Damariscotta, and it’s now available for sale year-round at the co-op.

The Maine Crisp Company of Waterville will offer samples of their handmade gluten-free crisps on Dec. 12, from 9 to 11 a.m.

Rising Tide’s third annual Holiday Gift Show is ongoing through January 2. Eleven local artists will showcase their work, which includes jewelry, wreaths, ornaments, and cutting boards. You can shop for holiday gifts during the store’s regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Rising Tide Community Market is a natural food cooperative with 3,200+ member-owners located at 323 Main Street in Damariscotta. All sampling events and raffles are free and open to the community. Member-owners of Rising Tide are eligible to receive 10 percent off one shopping trip during the week, but everyone is welcome to shop. For a schedule of the week’s events or to learn more about becoming a co-op member-owner, visit Rising Tide’s website at www.risingtide.coop or call 563-5556.