Local Sprouts Cooperative and Cultivating Community developed the Community Culinary Crew in the Fall of 2008. The 6 week culinary program provides a graduated local food experience for 6 former Cultivating Community Youth Growers. The Youth Growers worked in Portland's Boyd Street Urban Garden and at Turkey Hill Farm in Cape Elizabeth in the summer months growing organic produce and raising livestock. 

The Community Culinary Crew is now learning to preserve their harvest and create delicious valued added products from those herbs, fruits, vegetables and live stock. Kitchen safety, menu creation, culinary basics, event planning and marketing are some of the learning objectives for the program.  The Community Culinary Crew sells their products through the Community Supported Kitchen and is also seeking other venues.  The youth will put their learned culinary and organizational skills together at the end of the program and will host a Harvest Dinner for Cultivating Community's Elder Share Program. 

The program runs at the Public Market House on Tuesdays from 3-6 pm and Wednesday's from 3-4 pm.