Veggies to Table has a thriving community, where people are able to find joy, learning, and meaning as they help feed our community on the farm or behind the scenes. We also have deep connections with our pantry, education and local partners as well as with our recipients to whom we try to restore dignity, equity and food justice. We have asked our partners, volunteers and recipients to let us know why and how Veggies to Table has been meaningful to them, how it has impacted their lives, and how we are making a difference in our community.

“I started volunteering at Veggies to Table because food insecurity has always been a cause that I’ve cared about, and I wanted to give some of my time and energy back to the amazing state I’d recently moved to. What keeps bringing me back though is the incredible sense of community I’ve found here, and the opportunity to learn how to nurture both the community and the crops and flowers we grow. When things get hard, it’s wonderful to have a place to come back to and gain some perspective- no one knows what the future may bring, but I know at least one place where the people are kind, the flowers are beautiful, and the work is worthwhile.”

Tonie V., Volunteer, Bremen, Maine

“When Covid hit, our family's lives, like so many others, got flipped upside down.  We found ourselves budgeting what savings we had for daily living and making do, until one weekend when our only car, our only form of transportation, stopped working.  With the groceries we had, we made do for a few days while my husband worked on fixing the car.  As the days went on, we waited for car parts and emptied the refrigerator, that's when I reached out to Veggies to Table with a simple email, a request for help.  With no car, no family nearby and being new to the area, we had no way to get to the grocery store and even if I had, the money for healthy food was not in the budget—I've truly never felt more helpless in that moment. But that same day, I received an email back from Erica, the founder of Veggies to Table and the next day, Erica arrived at our home with boxes of fresh, delicious food. The support for our family did not stop that day, Veggies to Table supported us through a terrible time, ensuring that no matter how chaotic the world became around us, every day we had healthy food to share.

As the years have gone on, our family's story with Veggies to Table has not stopped.  When Covid lightened, our family began visiting the Veggies to Table farm, which only goes to show Erica's grace as I have four children that, thanks to Veggies to Table, are now ravenous vegetable eaters. We would watch the harvesting of vegetables, visit with and feed the chickens and ask question after question, learning more about growing food each and every time and always being blessed with fresh food for our table. While we all have our favorites, my children will, without question, take a Veggies to Table cherry tomato over candy any day—they are the sweetest treat you can offer them and are often fully eaten before we even make it home.  

As my kids have grown, they've fallen in love with the farm, and if you ever visit, you will too— Erica's knowledge of growing food is matched by her skill at making things beautiful. My kids regularly request to visit and help out where they can, pulling weeds, trellising tomatoes and harvesting them, plucking peas and learning the difference between shell and snap and so much more. They're learning more than just how to grow food on the farm, they are learning what it means to be a part of a community, what it means to be a good human,and what it means to put love into action.

I have also enjoyed and benefited from spending time volunteering on the farm, learning from Erica, who is wonderfully patient with me. This summer I gained many new skills including, my new love, harvesting flowers and making bouquets for fundraisers, and to donate, even having the opportunity to join alongside my oldest daughter and Erica at a flower sale. It is always an inspiration to join with other volunteers to support a cause that means so much to so many.  In addition to all the help we've received, thanks to the knowledge I've gained and the help and support I've been given from Veggies to Table, we've been inspired to start a garden of our own, something that myself, without a green thumb, thought I could never do.  

What began as a request for help in a time of great need has helped change and mold the course of our family and I will forever be grateful.”

Anonymous, Recipient and Volunteer, Waldoboro, Maine

“I finally feel part of this community, after moving here full-time 3 years ago, because of you and Veggies to Table! These are difficult times for so many, and I wanted to give back, help out, and find a purpose outside the boundaries of my own life. I have found all of that through the luscious oasis of your farm. 

As a former single mom of two boys, struggling from paycheck to paycheck, I know the desperation, stress and embarrassment. ...the memories stay within my soul. I remember several times, waiting until my boys finished dinner, so that I could eat their leftovers because it was all I had. I remember coming home to find my refrigerator filled, by an anonymous friend who has never confessed. I sat on the kitchen floor and cried. So many tragic memories... and quiet acts of kindness. My boys are grown, healthy, and amazing humans, and I am fortunate to have an amazing life myself now. When I sweat while harvesting or planting carrots and turnips, I remember. When I put flower arrangements together, I think of the recipients, and how much it would have brightened my day back then. It would have meant everything. Please never minimize what you and your staff/volunteers do for the anonymous people that you serve. 

I feel deeply for the people we help, who are struggling with food insecurity. Thank you for welcoming me into the farm and allowing me to pay it forward.”

G.W., Volunteer, Newcastle, Maine

I partner with Veggies to Table during the growing season by helping to distribute their beautiful produce and flowers.  As the Food Security Community Connector for Lincoln County, I work with area food pantries, schools, and maintain a number of share tables, which are places where people can get local produce for free, no questions asked.  The food I receive from Veggies to Table helps us consistently offer a wide variety of vegetables, and I am always impressed at the quality and quantity grown.  They complement our food pantries by growing vegetables that they don’t often receive, like snap peas, radishes, tomatoes, pumpkins, garlic, potatoes, and more.  The produce that is grown at Veggies to Table is in beautiful condition, and they are careful in their selection, ensuring that the produce is at its peak flavor while harvesting.  This is so important, because oftentimes we are introducing a young child or family to a vegetable that they are trying for the first time.  You want their first experience with a new vegetable to be pleasing, both aesthetically and in flavor.  I remember sharing snap peas from Veggies to Table with a young boy who claimed that he didn’t like them.  I urged him to try this one, promising that it would be different than ones he tried in the past.  He took one bite and exclaimed, “This tastes sweet and yummy!”  I’ve had the same experience sharing their cherry tomatoes, which always elicit a gleeful “Yum!!” from young eaters.  I also deliver food to a growing number of clients that are homebound for a variety of reasons.  My favorite memory involves a delivery of one of their flower bouquets.  I was bringing food to a man with severe health issues, and I brought him a bouquet with his food.  His eyes became misty as I handed the flowers to him; they reminded him of his late wife, and he could not stop smelling them and fussing over where he should put them for display.  They brightened his day in a way that a delivery of food simply could not.

Jessica Breithaupt, Food Security Community Connector, Healthy Lincoln County, Damariscotta, Maine

“Now that I am retired, I am seeking companionship and activity.  I left a busy environment with lots of good friends so I love the high energy and purpose of Veggies to Table.  There is always something new afoot and it seems each time I arrive to volunteer there is change and growth to see.  Flowers for the ‘Flower Joy’ initiative are interspersed within the veggies so the farm is abuzz with pollinators.  I am so happy to assist in Veggies to Table’s mission and to make new friends in the process.”

Marion M., Volunteer, Nobleboro, Maine

“I found out about Veggies to Table while inquiring about the "Cooking with Kids" program at the Lincoln county YMCA. Suffice to say, as a retired teacher of 30 years, I am now happily cooking with school-aged kids four to five days a week. Veggies  used for cooking at the Y come from numerous CSA farms around the county, including Veggies to Table, and everyday before we eat the creations made by the kids, we thank the farmers and the cooks.

As for my Veggies to Table farm experience, when I first arrived there I knew it was a magical place. Although it was early fall, there were still crops to bring in, as well as beginning to put the beds to rest for the winter. What makes this farm extra special are the people. I have never met a group of folks so kind, patient, good humored and devout stewards of the land as here. The moment I arrived I immediately felt welcomed.

I was introduced to one important task at hand- ‘birthing dahlias.’ Don't laugh! (too hard). Dahlias are a beautiful part of income for the farm, and you just don't dig the bulbs out, as I learned and practiced. I jokingly suggested that maybe a midwife or two might come in handy. Removing the bulbs IS like bringing these bulbs to light; its delicate and satisfying work. 

What I wish to bring to light here is the fact that the atmosphere at Veggies to Table is one of gentle teaching. For me this is a holistic place. For sure, it is a place of serious farming, sharing, and amazing comradery. And laughter, lots of laughter. You learn to appreciate each other's presence.”

Ken L., Volunteer, Newcastle, Maine

“Retirement is not a job to take lightly.  In fact, I tried to retire twice before I finally did it in 2019.  I was part of the hiring community to find a replacement for my position as teacher of French at Wiscasset Middle High School. Alain Ollier was hired and I learned about Veggies to Table. Covid kept me close to home but as things opened up it was time for me to work on the volunteering part of my very long retirement to-do list. I have plenty of gardening to do at my home and did not want to do more bending, pulling, planting and carrying. The mission of Veggies to Table was dear to my heart, not only have I known hunger myself but working in schools throughout Maine, I have seen it often and have donated to food pantries for years. Veggies to Table was perfect. My first attempt to help was to nominate Veggies to ‘100 Women who Care’ a Maine group that supports Maine non-profits.  We were lucky enough to be chosen and Veggies to Table received some money from them. Then came a conversation with Erica about sewing  aprons. I am a crafty person, but I am the worst in front of a sewing machine. How could I help? I teamed up with Jean Phillips, an accomplished seamstress and the rest is history. We spent hours together last summer creating aprons for Veggies to sell. I was the cutting expert and ironing guru, and Jean was the sewing queen.  Jean had wanted to volunteer but like me was not into getting her hands in the dirt.  This was a perfect solution. Hours of friendship for a good cause.”

Irene M., Volunteer, Edgecomb, Maine

My name is Janet Lee. I can not say enough about the generosity of the local communities, farms and stores, that aide our pantry and many other pantries in the success of what we are able to do for families in need. I have been so amazed by the products that are donated to our pantry.

Veggies to Table is one of our donors and I’d like to say that, If it wasn’t for the fresh vegetables that we get from Veggies to Table, our clients would not get as much from our Food Pantry each distribution. The vegetables are always fresh and so well received. Our Food Pantry is not able to purchase a lot of fresh vegetables (due to costs and volume), so getting fresh vegetables from our local farmers is so rewarding to our Food Pantry.

 The staff at Veggies to Table are always so pleasant to work with. When you have a chance to talk to anyone of the workers, you walk away feeling so fulfilled with joy. Their enthusiasm for what they do is contagious. You can feel their compassion for what they do. Our Food Pantry is so grateful to Veggies to Table and can’t wait for this summer when we can start to get fresh products again.

Janet Lee, Operations Manager, Waldoboro Food Pantry, Waldoboro, Maine

“Our pantry is blessed to have the support of Veggies to Table. Erica and Alain have created something special that does not exist anywhere else. Giving out the food that they grow has been an honor because I know that you couldn't get anything better in the stores even if you tried. Being in a hard place does not mean you need to take the worst of the worst sometimes it means you get something special. Some weeks I can even give our patrons stunning bouquets to go with their organic radishes, squash and tomatoes and it opens up a river of smiles that I get to enjoy.

In 2022 Jefferson Area Food Pantry had 90 families and well over 200 hundred people every opening. In 2019 we had 25-32 families an opening (90-110 people). It is a steady rise. There are new families every opening. Some are open with struggles and some are not. 

Veggies to Table has been a conversation piece. We see so many patrons at the pantry that have had heart attacks and strokes. They turn to us because they just can’t financially do it anymore, the bills just keep piling up. Some know it is food that makes a difference in their health. I try to explain to them that they need to eat more organic, locally grown, fruits and vegetables. I tell my patrons to shop with us more to save both money and their health. Veggies to Table is a big part of this.”

Allison Brooks, Chair, Jefferson Area Community Food Pantry, Jefferson, Maine

"Veggies to Table, gives us beauty, hope and bounty in a really tough time in our lives."

Recipient, Jefferson Area Community Food Pantry, Jefferson, Maine

“I learned about the farm from my place of employment who has made fighting food insecurity a priority.  I was looking for a volunteer opportunity and I love to be outside (my job is 100% inside!) so decided to give it a try.  Earlier in the week that I was scheduled to come for the first time, my Dad passed away. I almost canceled, but decided since no one at the farm knew me or knew what I had been going through with my Dad over the last few years I would just go anyway – maybe it would be a good distraction.  That first day, I felt my Dad with me.  We always had a garden growing up and I could just sense that he was telling me this was the right place for me to spend time.  Each week after that, I felt him with me and as I learned more about the farm, worked with your incredible farmers and other volunteers and your mission it made me want to do more.  Hopefully, next season I can squeeze in more than 2 hours per week! Thank you for doing all you do for our communities.”

Tammy P., Volunteer, Bristol, Maine

“​​Food security is not decreasing. It is Steadily increasing in numbers. Pre-pandemic the Waldoboro Food Pantry served, on average, 75 families. In 2022, the average was 122 families and even more on holidays like Thanksgiving when we served 150 families. Food costs for the pantry are up making the case for donated, farm fresh, veggies even more compelling.

Veggies to Table’s nutritious organic produce is really one of our highlights. Fresh off the farm, does it get any better, come on!? Everything just tastes so amazing. It is such a gift to our clients who can’t afford to shop at farmer’s markets. And how wonderful it is when they ask us how to use something new to them. It is very interactive at the times that the lines slow. Veggies to Table is 100% appreciated.”

Natalie Masse, Treasurer, Waldoboro Food Pantry, Waldoboro, Maine

A Day in The Life

“Today was a very successful day at our Food Pantry. Our folks loved the fresh veggies you provided and we are so grateful for all you donated. For those who were unable to get to the food pantry, we dropped the vegetables off to them. All good here in Friendship today! One of our folks remembered her Dad growing celeriac too!”

Karen Goodwill, Director, Friendship-Cushing Food Pantry, Cushing, Maine

"The produce we have received is amazing in quality and taste. Getting freshly grown veggies, like carrots, is such a pleasure to cook with. We are so grateful for Veggies to Table’s generosity. It's like getting a present every 2 weeks. I am a retired chef and the carrots and turnips are some of the best I have ever used."  

Heather C., Recipient, Waldoboro Food Pantry, Waldoboro, Maine

“One of the most dedicated partners to food insecurity in Lincoln County is Veggies to Table. They provide quality, organic produce for our share tables, which are locations where fresh, free produce is available for people to take. Veggies to Table produces and distributes thousands of pounds of food yearly. Healthy Lincoln County has been able to partner with Veggies to Table to distribute the bounty of food they provide and have also been able to spend time volunteering on the farm. The planning, volunteer coordination, and countless amounts of effort that Erica puts in to ensure the success of Veggies to Table is admirable and integral to ending hunger in our community. 

Veggies to Table is also unique in that they grow flowers for the community to spread ‘flower joy’ as we have all come to know it. Donating fresh, local, produce to hungry individuals is incredible and so important in our community. The addition of fresh flowers is a beautiful reminder that no matter our circumstances, we are all human: deserving of love, kindness, and respect.”

Kelsey Robinson, Director, Healthy Lincoln County, Damariscotta, Maine

“At my house I am known as ‘the salad girl,’ so, when Erica came to my church and described how people on limited budgets struggle to find fresh vegetables, my heart was touched. It became clear that what I took for granted was not available to everyone. I volunteered on the Veggies to Table farm the following week.

As so often happens with any gifts of service, the gifts that were most immediately apparent were the ones given back to me. My first task was harvesting cherry tomatoes. This was a dream come true. In fact, I love to garden, but in our seaside cottage, a garden remains a pipe dream. Between the granite soil, where even the public water has to be run above the ground in hoses, and the pine trees that cast dark shadows all day long, a sunny spot with sufficient soil just doesn’t exist. So being asked to participate in the joyous task of gardening culminating in harvesting was sheer pleasure. I now became known as ‘the singing volunteer,’ since I often sang to myself as I worked. For me, this work was more like play.

In addition, I was granted the gift of fellowship in the community. As my husband and I continued to come ‘work’ over the following weeks, we came to meet many like-minded individuals. Once, we worked alongside a couple from our church that we had previously seen but never actually met. We discovered many similarities and connections. On another visit, we discovered a couple who spent winters in the city that our son and daughter-in-law had just moved to! And of course, the relationships built over time with the staff at Veggies to Table, provided both comradery and a wealth of information about the ins and outs of gardening in Maine. I learned and gained so much. I will be forever grateful that the opportunity to help provide fresh vegetables and flowers to our neighbors was made available to me and that I stepped up to the call.”

Loretta S., Volunteer, Maine

“Not long ago I met Erica Berman and Alain Ollier, who left a strong impression on me with their enthusiasm and a mission to grow healthy food for people in Lincoln County. When you spend a few hours with them you realize the force and vision they have that carries them forward. Their dream is to grow food and flowers for the well-being of people in the community who cannot afford the luxury of organic, healthy foods, never mind placing a bouquet of beautiful Zinnias on their table! But two people alone could not have achieved what the farm has already developed into and provided. It must be their strong and generous spirit that has already drawn so many people to help them in the effort. Veggies to Table has inspired a multitude of volunteers, young and old, many regulars throughout the seasons, to join them and work. 

There is always plenty to do. Every time I visit Veggies to Table, I see some new project unfolding, or another one brought to completion. Sometimes I hang out on the farm and linger, drinking in the good energy that radiates around me. The mood among the people is joyful and relaxed; everyone works together in camaraderie. There is often singing, joking, exchanging stories and eating snacks while doing the never-ending work. The volume of work can be daunting, and the goal is set high. It must be the giving nature of it, the idea of helping people and families in need that energizes everyone and gives them purpose. 

When I needed bouquets of flowers for a memorial service last fall, I knew where to get them. I am forever grateful for the variety and tastefully arranged and colorful bouquets of flowers I received from Erica. Their beauty and delicate scent brought an uplifting mood to the celebration.

As an educator of children, I cannot thank Veggies to Table enough for growing such a variety of vegetables and flowers and inspiring young people to come and work on the farm. To me, this altruistic way of caring for the larger community and everyone’s well-being is an important model for others to create elsewhere in the future, where young and old have a place and a purpose and can work together in harmony. Thank you, Erica and Alain, you have created a miracle for our community!”

Ursula L., Volunteer, Walpole, Maine

“My siblings and I have had recent discussions about how food insecure we were growing up and access to adequate healthy food feels very personal. I wanted to become involved in my own community. A few years ago I discovered the Lincoln County Gleaners and wanted to do more so I jumped on the email list of Healthy Lincoln County. That's how I became aware of the call for volunteers at Veggies to Table.

Driving down Academy Hill Road I was doubtful there was a farm on that road. I arrived at a road I never knew existed. Still the skeptic, I kept driving down the road which is more lane that driveway then everything opened up. The land, the trees, the plantings, the buildings, the farmers, and the volunteers—was a total ShangriLa moment.

Since that first day I have been back several times bringing a friend most times. Tasks such as raking and spreading leaves for field cover and compost, cleaning out a zinnia field and separating garlic bulbs gave me great pleasure. Veggies to Table is one of the prettiest farms I have been on. The quality and abundance of food and flowers are stunning. Looking forward to coming back next season.”

Sharon S., Volunteer, New Harbor, Maine

“We recently moved to the Midcoast and were looking for ways to build relationships in the community and get involved in meaningful work. Volunteering at Veggies to Table was a great answer for us. Everyone involved at Veggies to Table are joyful, hardworking, intelligent and friendly folks who are coming together for a common purpose to positively impact food insecurity in the local community. It’s a fun place to work, have good conversations, meet new people, and learn about sustainable farming – all while contributing to important work. It is astonishing how much they are taking on, the levels of production, and the quality of the organic produce grown for such a ‘home grown’ organization. We encourage you to join in. Once you visit, you will look forward to coming back!

Kathy and David G., Volunteers, Nobleboro, Maine

“FARMS at the Y works to provide education about good nutrition and the role of local farms in promoting healthy sustainable communities. We highlight vegetables from Veggies To Table when cooking with students and at our local food pantries. We see this need increasing exponentially as we recover from the Covid 19 pandemic. As Coordinator of FARMS at the Y, I see first hand issues of food insecurity and lack of nutrition education in our community. The Veggies to Table Food Bank Farm directly impacts the work of FARMS at the Y. With this community resource, adults and children have the opportunity to learn about growing vegetables and the benefits of eating nutritionally dense foods. It is a privilege to work directly with Erica and Alain. They saw a need in our community and crafted a creative solution to help reduce food insecurity.”

Karen Kleinkopf, M.Ed., Coordinator, FARMS at the Y, Central Lincoln County YMCA, Damariscotta, Maine

“Veggies to Table provides free produce to community members and groups who do not have the means to purchase it. As a recipient of their donations, our programs at FARMS at the Y educates participants of all ages on how to prepare and enjoy local produce. Veggies to Table supporting food security allows our program to support meal security.

Our hands-on, experiential cooking classes for people of all ages includes the Y's Pre-Kindergarten classroom (Pre-k). Veggies to Table supplies a wide variety of vegetables for our students to cook with. Students love the taste, color, and size of the provided vegetables. They’re always looking forward to seeing the colors of the eggs and carrots that come in. They get excited about using knives, graters and peelers to process their winter & summer squash, carrots, tomatoes. They also love all the ways to cook them. Early this fall, the Pre-K students came to the kitchen for a cherry tomato cooking class. Veggies to Table had donated multiple flats of cherry tomatoes of different varieties. The students were introduced to the tomatoes and given a small bowl to wash and sort by size or color. Students practiced gross and fine motor skills as they poured water for washing and sorting tomatoes. Then they spread the tomatoes on baking sheets, oiled, salted, peppered, and finally roasted them in the oven. When done, the tomatoes were pureed into a soup. The students were able to enjoy their freshly made tomato soup and it was a delicious educational and nutritional learning opportunity! 

Veggies to Table’s donations help to offset program supply costs which allows us to offer a variety of food education classes that can be free or reduced price. This allows us to reach a wider audience who may not normally be able to afford programs like ours.”

Leslie Wicks, Director, FARMS at the Y,  Damariscotta, Maine

“We truly enjoyed working at the farm last year. It was one of the most satisfying and fulfilling  experiences of the summer for us. We also enjoyed the friendships and camaraderie with your staff members and other volunteers. We look forward to working with you again this summer. We are so impressed with your work, and what you do for the region and to serve humanity.”

Steve and Sandy B., Volunteer, New Harbor, Maine and Berea, Kentucky

“In the fall of 2022, we leapt into the unknown as we embarked on the inaugural Ingenuity Year Gap Year Program. Fifteen students, ages 17-20, from all over the United States enrolled in the program with the hopes of skill building, gaining a better sense of self, and engaging in the local community. We traveled all over the state of Maine, but were so lucky to have found Veggies to Table just around the corner from our home campus. 

Volunteering with Veggies to Table was easily one of the best parts of Ingenuity Year. As you may know, it is not often you see a group of teens excited about something, let alone outdoor and labor intensive work, but they LOVED volunteering on the farm. Our students were fully immersed in the work. Even on days when it was pouring rain, they were slipping and sliding, laughing, and having fun. They loved getting their hands dirty, working hard, and leaving with a sense of accomplishment. These students gained knowledge, skills, confidence, and a desire to give back through their work on the farm. 

We are so grateful for our time at Veggies to Table. It was such a pleasure to get to know the staff and volunteers. They were so welcoming, enthusiastic, and passionate about what they do.  It was inspiring. Thank you, Veggies to Table, for introducing us to farming, allowing us the opportunity to contribute to your mission, and providing our students with a meaningful experience that they will carry with them forever.”

Jordan Findley, Program Leader, Ingenuity Year Program

“The many reasons why I volunteer at Veggies to Table start with Erica and Alain, two very special people who have undertaken one of the greatest kindnesses I have seen – using their land, energy, and know-how, to establish, manage and run a successful organic “grow-to-donate” farm to help feed others. That’s only the beginning. They are concerned about the health of the soil and quality of produce they provide; about the safety and well-being of their team, about teaching others about the value of eating well and growing one’s own vegetables. Underlying everything they do is an innate desire to build community, spread joy and kindness, and show appreciation for anything others can do. They work tirelessly, and it is always fulfilling to help them in any small way I can.”

Lorraine A., Volunteer, Newcastle, Maine

“Shortly after moving to Waldoboro, I reached out to Erica when I saw that Veggies to Table was hiring for farm help. I had worked in various for-profit veggie farms, flower farms, and perennial nurseries for the past 5 or so years.  

While I learned very much about the plants I was growing in these places, I always felt that there was some energy sucking away a little bit from the basic and revolutionary act that growing a carrot could be. I saw how the for-profit farmers I worked for ended up having to think more often about the finances of their farm than the people that the abundance of their land was feeding. I had beautiful memories of the community garden I worked at and ate from growing up, and thought that Veggies to Table would be the place that would most easily embody this way of relating and surviving from the land. 

In all my memories of what makes Veggies to Table so different, what stands out was the community that is naturally created there. All the different people I met there were of different ages, walks of life, and depths of relationships to farming and food. The most beautiful moments of working there were seeing the moments of discovery, connection, and healing that happened as people interacted with each other and the soil in tandem. I really enjoyed working with and watching the local students grow and become more confident in themselves as they worked with the land and other older volunteers. In general, Veggies to Table was, for me, a place of gathering where everyone you met was there to look after each other. It was where community here in the earth of Lincoln County took root for me, and seemingly, for most everyone else who spent time there.”

Deirdre H., Farm Hand at Veggies to Table, Waldoboro, Maine

“Erica's flowers are magical. Everyone is fighting their own battles and we never know what they are. When you hand someone a bouquet of Erica's Gorgeous Flowers you just made everything better for them instantly! And I feel so lucky to be part of that!"

Allison B., Jefferson, Maine

“I can tell you that as a long time volunteer it feels so good to give out healthy, fresh produce. It is heartening to see the wagons roll out to the cars with bright green leafy vegetables sticking out of the bags.  What we give out now thanks to Veggies to Table and other farms is a vast improvement over what we used to give out.  Now that the winter months are upon us, the difference is so noticeable from what we provide during the growing season.  

Coming to the Food Pantry isn't easy for a lot of people.  There is a stigma attached.  I'm part of the intake crew and I assure you that we try to be as welcoming as possible and that's where your flowers come in.  Both giving and receiving flowers brightens everyone's day.”

Nancy L, Waldoboro Food Pantry, Waldoboro, Maine

"The time, care, and dedication shown at Veggies to Table is clearly reflected in the quality of their produce. During my time volunteering on the farm, I saw firsthand how passionate they are about making sure everyone in their community has access to a variety of healthy foods. Veggies to Table’s commitment to ensuring that people have high quality produce regardless of financial boundaries is remarkable. Not only did I have the opportunity to volunteer on the farm, but I also had a part in the distribution of the food they grow through working at Healthy Lincoln County. Last season, Veggies to Table donated over 1500 pounds of produce to local free share tables throughout the county, which went a long way towards ensuring that community members had access to healthy foods in between food pantry openings. The gratitude and excitement of the people who received vegetables from Veggies to Table is unbelievable and shows what an impact they have had on Lincoln County.

Additionally, receiving flowers from Veggies to Table was always a delight. Every time I delivered bouquets to local share tables, people would excitedly stop in their tracks and ask if they could have one. The bouquets were almost always gone before I even finished setting up the table and I was regularly told that they made people's day!"" 

Madaline C, Food Access Coordinator, Americorp Vista, Healthy Lincoln County

“Flowers!!!  Oh yes!!  How happy are folks are when they see fresh flowers on the table as they leave and are encouraged by our volunteers to take some!!!  We have a grandmother who comes weekly who has a grandchild living with her - a young girl who is age 9 ….I believe. She loves to draw and paint and has done some paintings of the flowers!  I love this story and always chat with the grandmother when I’m at the Food Pantry and ask about the ‘artist’.” 

Karen G, Friendship-Cushing Food Pantry, Friendship, Maine

“We have a wonderful Helping Hands food pantry on Westport Island. We serve anyone who needs support with food and ask no questions. We have the usual canned and boxed goods but also frozen meats and even some paper goods. Early this summer, after taking one of the Islanders to see what the pantry offered, she responded that she was impressed, but was also disappointed because there was no fresh produce available from Helping Hands. 

That comment stuck with me, and I decided to find out where I could find free fresh produce to share with Westport Islanders who could use supplemental food support. I found out about Veggies to Table and was immediately put on the list to receive fresh produce weekly. 

Since early July, I have been delivering fresh produce each Friday morning to four families on the Island. Every family has been grateful for the food and impressed with the freshness and variety. One family began cooking for a neighbor as well so Veggies to Table has really been supporting five families. Three of the families have children so they were especially excited when I brought them pumpkins from Veggies to Table but they also mentioned that they loved snacking on the fresh carrots and celery (with peanut butter slathered on, of course).”

Donna C, Helping Hands Food Pantry, Westport Island, Maine

“I had a great time at Veggies to Table. The farm provided a positive and welcoming atmosphere, and the passionate employees made a lasting impression. Engaging in activities like planting crops and creating bouquets was both enriching and educational. This experience was very fulfilling and gave me a greater appreciation for their work. I wholeheartedly recommend Veggies to Table to anyone looking to make a meaningful difference in a local community.”

Mateo, Forman School Ingenuity Gap Year Program

“In reflecting on my time working with Veggies to Table, I appreciated working on my hands and knees to help plant fall crops. Getting my hands dirty and working up a sweat for a good cause felt meaningful and rewarding. I am grateful for the hospitality and kindness that the staff showed to my group. I’d highly recommend volunteering with them if you are interested in learning more about sustainable farming and giving back to local communities.”

Natalie, Forman School Ingenuity Gap Year Program