For many of us, summer in Maine is a time to enjoy the extended sunshine, swim in open water, and indulge in lobster dinners and the closeness of visiting friends. Our seasonal joys often center around food and gathering. We celebrate the end of an elongated winter and welcome the bountiful hours of sunshine. But for over 50,000 children in Maine, summer is a time when they cannot depend on two hot school meals daily. They live without consistency and go to bed hungry. This is the reality for nearly 12% of Maine’s population. For too many Mainers, hunger is a pressing, haunting reality. It is a daily, debilitating struggle. 

One Maine non-profit has been digging in to help stem the tide of Maine’s food crisis. Veggies to Table, a grow-to-donate farm, has cultivated and donated 57,168+ pounds of organic produce since their inception in 2019. This translates into 47,640 high-quality meals made possible for the most at-risk members of our community: children; single-parent households; elderly living in isolation; people living with disabilities and families. In New England, Maine ranks highest in food insecurity. Maine also has the best soil. Best work ethic. And the best people. In 2023 over 120 volunteers, and paid crew, engaged their time and energy to grow, tend and harvest organic vegetables, and then donate this fresh food to our community. This bounty was brought forth from 1.3 acres of land and incalculable commitment. Over 35 community partners help spread the produce made available by Veggies to Table. The organization’s mission is simple: to help end hunger in Maine.   

But the mission of the farm is also infused with beauty. And dignity. So, Veggies to Table grows flowers to encourage a culture of delight and kind-heartedness. In 2023, Veggies to Table grew 41 types of flowers (124 varieties) and donated those blooms to their recipients and so many others around the community in need of joy. Larissa Hannan, Director of Healthy Lincoln County, describes this elevated synergy of the farm’s work best: “Veggies to Table embodies dignity and quality through every ounce of work: starting from the moment seeds are sown, the vegetables grown on the Veggies to Table farm are noticeably beautiful and thoughtfully grown, reflecting a message that every single person deserves fresh, hyper-local, organic food. They also grow the most spectacular flowers, spreading the message of Flower Joy, a personal favorite mission of mine. These flowers spark excitement and enthusiasm from the community and remind us all that no matter our current circumstances, we are completely deserving of beauty, kindness and compassion in our lives.” The farm couldn’t agree more.   

With plans to help meet growing demand and exceed their 2023 yield, Veggies to Table invites you to help feed hungry people in Maine. Donate directly to support the hunger-ending work. Indulge in Veggies to Table’s Aug. 11 French-themed fundraiser in Boothbay. For more information on how you can spread joy and strengthen community, and on their upcoming French and travel themed auction, head to veggiestotable.org. Be a seed. Help Veggies to Table grow plants to provide Mainers with universal access to nutritious fresh food, as well as dignity.