“In my experience my stay with Erica and Alain was rewarding. I gained an even greater appreciation and affinity for farming, gardening and cooking! If you are looking to be an integral part of the farm for your stay, perform high quality work, and take pride in the mission and day-to-day grind, it can be an incredibly meaningful experience. I was thrilled to engage in a variety of tasks including prepping new beds, direct sowing and transplanting starts, soil blocking, managing pests organically, creating trellises and supports, harvesting celery, peas, garlic, kale and raspberries and weighing produce for the pantries. Working alongside other community members that volunteer deeply brightened my stay. The facilities: camping platform, outdoor kitchen, composting toilet and shower, are well-built and maintained. Food is plentiful and enjoyed as a whole group and individually for meals. Alain and Erica’s thoughtfulness provides a comfortable stay.”

“Alain and Erica were welcoming hosts and have created a beautiful farm! We loved using the camp kitchen and camping platform set up in the woods. We had the opportunity to meet many other amazing volunteers and enjoyed long talks about farming with Justine, the farm manager. We were able to work on several different projects on the farm—harvesting vegetables, mulching beds, cutting flowers, and creating bouquets. Would recommend to anyone looking to connect with the farming community in Maine :)””

“Thank you for sending these beautiful tulips our way! Flowers speak a most soul-filled language and are so important for healing. We love them! ”

“With all the food Veggies to Table provides to those in need, it can be easy to forget that its services extend both ways. I only discovered this for myself after graduating from college during the pandemic to discover that all my plans for employment had fallen through. While at home looking for work, volunteering at Veggies to Table gave me a daily purpose and direction that immeasurably improved my spirits and attitude (for which my family may be even more grateful than myself). Farming has always yielded many fruits, and not all of them physical. I worked to produce food for others, but at the same time I was feeding myself a meaningful life, and I know I can’t be the only one who has so benefited from the work and the community at Veggies to Table. For that I will be forever grateful”

“When I visited the farm in the summer of 2020, first I was excited, then my mind was blown! Veggies to Table is impressive in every way. Any dollar donated to this organization is multiplied many times over, and certainly has put a good feeling in my heart to be helping out.”

“ “I am so grateful for being able to spend the fall working on this farm! Erica and Alain are such warm and gracious people, and being able to work with them was such a great experience. The farm itself is a little slice of heaven in Midcoast Maine, the type of place that warms your soul and brightens your day every time you set foot on it. Being a novice farmer myself, Erica and Alain were great teachers, always open to sharing knowledge and showing me new techniques. I can’t recommend this farm enough and hope to work on it again in the future! 10 out of 10 for sure!””

“Volunteering at Veggies to Table has been the perfect way for me to balance my career as a public relations consultant and my desire to be connected to the earth and give back to the community in a meaningful way. Erica and Alain have put their blood, sweat and tears into building the most beautiful home and farm nestled in midcoast Maine—all with the single goal to make sure their community has access to nutritious food. When you’re there you feel like you’re a part of something really special. There’s plenty of opportunities to learn everything from planting to harvesting and a chance to exchange stories with volunteers from near and far. I’m already looking forward to getting back once the ground has thawed!”

““Erica and all at Veggies to Table have served as a source of inspiration for ways that we all can support our neighbors struggling financially. Veggies to Table has been instrumental in the formation of The Morris Farm’s Take-What-You-Need Farm Stand. We at the Morris Farm would not be able to provide our community with local vegetables to the extent that we have without the weekly donations of fresh beautiful produce from Veggies to Table. The work that is done at Veggies to Table is absolutely inspiring and Erica’s passion for serving her community is contagious.”
”

“As a Food Pantry manager I struggle to make sure all the food we are handing out is fresh and of good quality. Thanks to Veggies to Table I have the pleasure of offering fresh organic produce and gorgeous flowers to my community. Giving my patrons the luxury of non toxic vegetables that have been grown with love specifically for them is a blessing. We are all so thankful to have Erica and Alain in our community helping us fight food insecurity and spreading joy.”
”

““I really loved my time here. Erica and Alain were wonderful hosts and were always trying to make sure that I was getting the most out of my experience. They were really open and were happy to teach me anytime I had a question about how/why we were doing something. The farm itself is really gorgeous and has a wide variety of different crops (and chickens!), all of which I was welcome to harvest for my own cooking. For COVID times, they had an outdoor kitchen built, screened in, with a sink and a two burner stove, and was a great place to end the day, looking out over the farm. The outhouse and shower were really well kept, with plenty of hot water. Between the beautiful farm, the wonderful people, and the delicious food, the days seemed to fly by. I highly recommend spending a few weeks here!””

“
”Working with Erica and Alain was great. Things were more stressful this summer than usual because of COVID, but the accommodations were beautiful—a stellar outdoor kitchen, lovely shower and bathroom, and beautiful tent platform tucked into the woods. My friend who was volunteering with me had a car which was nice because we could explore (with a mask of course!) the surrounding area which is lovely and right near the ocean! The farm work was strenuous but rewarding and we were encouraged to take breaks if we needed them. We planted, harvested, weeded, fed the chickens, and much more in the beautiful garden. Erica and Alain are driven people who want everyone to be comfortable, well-fed, and happy.”
”

“Our clients love being able to choose their own beautiful farm-fresh produce and look forward to it’s arrival in the spring. Thank you Veggies to Table for supporting your food insecure neighbors.”

““Veggies to Table is a key partner in each of the four programs run by Healthy Lincoln County – the Lincoln County Gleaners, the SNAP Education Program, Free Summer Meals, and the Lincoln County Food Initiative. Each program serves MANY families with different levels of need, and ALL of them benefit from the multitude of fresh vegetables grown and donated by Veggies to Table throughout the season.“”

““I’m so grateful for my 7 weeks that I spent here!! Erica and Alain were such wonderful hosts, they were open about all aspects of the farm as well as their lives and they constantly inquired if we had any questions, if we were feeling fulfilled in our work and lifestyle and what they could do to make our experience better! Not to mention, they are amazing cooks and the food that is provided is (as much as possible) high quality and locally sourced! Also, there is so much to explore in the beautiful midcoast Maine area!! Covid definitely caused some stress for everyone, but the way they implemented social distancing on the farm minimized stress overall. Although it was a lot of hard work, since there was less help than usual during this harvesting season (due to COVID) I think the leadership that I was able to take here has made me so much more confident in my farming/gardening skills. Thank you guys so much for this experience, truly couldn’t have asked for a better fall!””

““This past summer, our pantry was blessed to receive fresh produce from
Veggies to Table. We serve around 200 families on the Boothbay Peninsula in Maine and they were intrigued with some of Veggie to Table’s unique offerings which included heirloom tomatoes, celeriac, Green Meat and Watermelon radishes, along with Chantenay and Paris market carrots. We sliced up a few for samples - visually stunning and just delicious! We are proud to be part of Erica’s Veggies to Table network!””

““Becoming aware of Erica and her farm’s mission of “grow to donate” ... and the fantastic array of exceptional vegetables offered was a game changer for our local food pantry and the families it serves.

As a localist chef who’s been in business for close to 40 years in the Mid-coast, and helped to pioneer the “farm to table “ movement in Maine, it’s clear to me how the need for food donations has grown in our area. Most dramatically and exponentially with the pandemic. Food insecurity is real.

When I first connected with our local pantry, I was dismayed by the types and quality of items offered. Lots of carb heavy and sugary offerings, canned goods and lower quality meat by products.

I wanted to help impact local food insecurity by cooking quality meals, soups and stews. Initially, I saw little of the caliber of ingredients I was accustomed to being available for my use. Such as organic vegetables, not grown on depleted soils, first and foremost…and fresh and flavorful herbs. Veggies to Table offers just that. Now I am confident that the food I am cooking for our community is as nourishing as it needs to be. Thank you Erica and the team at Veggies to Table!””

““I enjoy volunteering at Veggies to Table for a number of reasons. Spending time with Erica and Alain is always inspiring. They are both incredibly thoughtful, hard-working and dedicated people, giving freely of their time and resources to provide fresh, organic food to folks in our communities who might not otherwise have access to it. For me spending time out-of-doors is an important part of every day, and knowing that it is contributing to the production of fresh food makes it doubly rewarding. I have also found there are always new things to learn from the many people I have worked with at the farm.””

“
“Finding meaning during COVID at Veggies to Table - This past summer (summer 2020) I had the pleasure of WWOOFing at Veggies to Table. Amidst all the uncertainty and confusion in the world, living and working on the farm felt like a COVID safe haven. Although we were masked and distanced, there was still a strong sense of community. Erica and Alain were gracious hosts and mentors. They always made sure the farm was as safe as possible while we worked in the field as well as our communal living spaces. And they taught us many sustainable farming techniques; such as mulching, organic pest control, and about soil composition and amendments. I’m so thankful I was able to learn so much about farming and the mission of Veggies to Table so safely!””

““The Jefferson Area Community Food Pantry would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to Veggies to Table. With their donations of fresh, lovingly tended organic produce we were able provide the best vegetables to our clients all season long. A special note, for the picture perfect flowers, a gift in the hands of those who’s smiles touched our hearts throughout the summer.””

““Your donations of squash, tomatoes, carrots, and other vegetables went to serve some of our most needy students here at Wiscasset Middle High School. It is always amazing to see students appreciate the fresh produce you donated to the Wiscasset School Food Pantry. Your donations went to many families who otherwise may not be able to purchase fresh food. It was a pleasure getting to know you, Erica and your husband Alain. You both work tirelessly to share your produce with people who may otherwise go without. Thank you for all you do! 
You are appreciated more than you most likely know :) “

”

“I really enjoyed the time I spent at Erica’s little gem of a farm this October. I did not live with Erica and Alain as I was living only a short drive away at the time so I cannot report on the full experience, but even volunteering a few hours a day I was welcomed and shown the ropes of the farm with patience, trust and excitement. Erica was a communicative, kind, and caring host, even when my availability changed abruptly due to unforeseen circumstances. The farm was absolutely beautiful and the work was varied even late in the season. I learned something new about growing/preparing/donating veggies with every task! Hope to come back for more again soon. Many thanks!!”

““The abundant fresh local produce that Veggies to Table donated to our Summer Meals program not only made for healthier, fresher meals for the kids, but also helped offset the cost of food to run the program.””

““We are always excited to receive produce from Veggies to Table, the superior quality and presentation is delicious and delightful! The variety of produce we have received from Veggies to Table has allowed us to supplement our sharing tables with so many choices for people to take. Veggies to Table planted love with every seed and it flourishes with every donation we receive. Lincoln County Gleaners is proud to distribute produce from Veggies to Table.””

““The Food For Thought (Boothbay Region) which provides weekend and vacation meals and snacks for children in need, received a huge boost this past summer and Fall. Thanks to Erica, and Veggies to Table, we were able to provide all of the children and families in our program, with beautiful, fresh, organic vegetables all season long! Through her kindness, generosity and hard work we were able to deliver fresh food to these families every week. Thank you to Erica and her dedicated Veggies to Table crew for your commitment to the community.””

““Thank you very much for your bountiful supply of fresh vegetables. The vegetables you donated to Food For Thought gave many families nutritional food that without your help they wouldn’t have been able to have as they cannot afford it. Thank you again “
”

““Thank you so much for all the beautiful vegetables and the delicious fresh eggs. I can’t begin to thank you enough or explain what this has meant for my family. Well in short it meant not going hungry as my family is struggling financially. So thank you so much, I am preparing a butternut squash soup as we speak with many of the veggies.”
”

““Working/volunteering at Veggies to Table was a great experience. Alain is super knowledgeable in the field with new projects always pushing his ability and Erica handles the books and planting very well. Between them they cover the bases of pretty much anything one would want to know when starting a sustainable farm and I learned a bunch being there!””

““To say that my time with Erica and Alain was a remarkable and eye opening experience is an understatement. This was my first WWOOF experience and I could not have asked for a better environment to be in. Erica and Alain were gracious, thoughtful, and very fascinating hosts; both of them were eager to share their knowledge or insight regarding anything. Work on the farm was, at times, tough but extremely rewarding (I was consistently urged to takes breaks or stop working!). Erica and Alain both made delicious homemade meals and were more than happy to share how to make some incredible foods. I highly recommend WWOOF’ing here especially because of their mission to deliver healthful foods to food insecure individuals and families in the area and I can’t wait to come back and help them continue to reach their goals.“”

““Alain and Erica are wonderful hosts. We enjoyed being at their farm and helped till the soil for a new garden, water, mulch, hunt for bugs, gather eggs, peek at the beehives and learn new recipes [both American and French:)] We so enjoyed learning more about gardening, their inspiration for their non-profit and getting a taste of the rhythm of life on the Farm. Bring your bug spray (they are alive and thriving here), a hat, water bottle and sunscreen if you’re coming in the summer. Be prepared to sweat:); enjoy wonderful conversation; and learn from this couple who is ever ready to teach you something new.””

““I had a lovely time with Erica and Alain, two people who are committed to improving their community through their donation of home-grown, high quality produce. Both Erica and Alain were absolutely willing to teach me whenever I asked. Together, they are a wealth of knowledge both in the field and in the kitchen––make sure to ask Alain for some sweets!” ”

““The time I spent at Veggies to Table far exceeded my expectations. Erica and Alain were wonderful hosts who went above and beyond to assure I was comfortable, well-fed, and receiving a thoroughly educational experience from everything to cooking, bee-keeping, chickens, garden maintenance, and even monarch butterfly rescue missions! Their farm and property is beautiful. If you’re looking for an opportunity to learn about farm life, camp out under the stars, and spend time with two wonderful individuals with a passion and drive for helping those in need, I can’t recommend this farm enough. Thank you both so much, and I hope to be back as soon as I can!””

““I had a fantastic time working with Erica in Damariscotta. Erica works very hard at this important work and I was so lucky to be able to contribute. I was made to feel very welcome in her home and at her table. In arranging my stay, Erica was very communicative and flexible when I had last minute family business come up in the middle of my planned stay. On the farm, I watered, broke new ground, assisted with harvesting, and learned about different kinds of pest management. Erica checked in to make sure I was getting what I wanted out of the experience and the hours I worked were in my hands. For those who don’t know this part of the world, there is so much to see and do and the resources nearby for people interested in organic and sustainable agriculture practices are many and rich. I highly recommend having a car to take full advantage of the area. Thanks to Erica and Alain for welcoming me into their home and thank you for the wonderful work you are doing.””

““Volunteering with Veggies to Table was a fun and interactive way to meet like-minded community members interested in social justice and food security challenges here in Midcoast Maine. I enjoyed getting to know
Erica and Alain, as well as super-woman farm manager Rachel. The scope of their project is impressive, and their work-ethic is both humbling and inspiring. Every time I volunteered at the farm, I met a new set of folks
from the local and WWOOF communities. I’m proud to know that so many people both from our town and from away are dedicated to reducing hunger and getting involved in all aspects of the work that entails.”
”

““Lincoln Academy’s Alternative Education students learned about organic agriculture by participating in the process of growing food. They enjoyed getting out of the classroom to spend time working together outside. The experience of helping others was also valuable.” ”

““The vegetables and flowers donated to us from “Veggies to Table” helped to supplement the in school food pantry we have here at Wayfinder Schools. In total more then 20 students benefited from this donation. It is very important that our students and their families have access to fresh nutritious produce. The recipes you provided were helpful as well. We had a salsa workshop where we used some of the donated veggies and some brought from our homes to show the students how easy and more tasty making your own salsa is. Thank you so much for your donation and we look forward to working with you in the future.””

““Thank you for your generous vegetable donations to Wayfinders. The food program is so helpful to my household, and without you it wouldn’t be possible. Fresh vegetables aren’t always available to students and contain more essential vitamins and minerals (not to mention flavor) than any canned. The onions and tomatoes were delicious in pico de gallo, and the squash made lovely centerpieces until they became sides- roasted and mashed- on my dinner table.”
”

““On behalf of the after school Fit Kids staff, children, and their families, I want to take a moment to thank you for all of the hard work and generosity you have put into the vegetables that you donated to our program. Because of you, our Fit Kids members are able to have fresh vegetables at every snack, learn new recipes, and try vegetables they would have never otherwise tried at home. They have learned to use their 5 senses: see, smell, feel, taste, and occasionally hear, while introducing these new vegetables.””