One of the things a Maine gardener likes more than gardening is sharing what comes out of that garden. Thanks to a University of Maine Cooperative Extension program, thousands of pounds of that fresh produce is now finding its way into the hands and kitchens of some of the state’s most needy residents.
For the last 15 years, Maine Harvest for Hunger has organized gardeners, farmers, businesses, schools and civic groups to grow and donate produce to food pantries, shelters and other food distribution points in the state.
Last year, according to the group, that meant more than 318,000 pounds of food went to 188 distribution centers and individuals with an estimated value of $537,000.
“Maine Harvest for Hunger was born out of the realization of rising food insecurity among Maine’s general population,” said Frank Wertheim, associate professor with Maine Cooperative Extension in York County and director of the program. “We had this network of gardeners and volunteers in Maine who met with people at Good Shepherd [Food Bank of Maine] and other food pantries and asked what can we do to help with fresh produce.”
Since the program began, it has provided close to 2.2 million pounds of food to people in Maine where the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates 16.2 percent of Maine households — more than 208,000 individuals — are food insecure,
A person is considered “food insecure” if they lack access to enough food to ensure adequate daily nutrition, according to the USDA.
Maine ranks first in New England and 12th in nation for food insecurity.
“One of the the things people on a tight budget deal with is they only have so much [money] for food and end up having to buy less expensive, less nutritious and highly processed food,” Wertheim said. “We had the idea we could certainly make a difference in people’s’ lives by getting farm or garden fresh food to them.”
The program initially started out as a branch of Plant a Row for the Hungry, operated by the National Garden Writers Association but Wertheim said by 2008 it had transitioned into Maine Harvest for Hunger.
“Our initial thought was we would issue a challenge to the public and encourage home gardeners to get involved,” he said. “But pretty soon one of our master gardeners got to talking to a farmer, and that farmer offered the produce that was left in his field at the end of the season to us.”
Now volunteers in several Maine counties are regular visitors to farms where they are allowed to take, or “glean,” leftover crops that are distributed through Maine Harvest for Hunger.
“Some of the farmers started planting more just for us to glean,” Wertheim said. “Others are more business-minded and call us only when they have the leftovers, [but] it is really important to build these relationships at the local level because there is no ‘one size fits all’ when you work with farmers and gardeners.”
Now is the time for gardeners wanting to work with Maine Harvest for Hunger to start thinking about potential crops, said Katherine Garland, horticulturist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
“Now is the time to be planning,” she said. “It’s the time we have conversations with the food distribution sites and what they can use.”
Some sites, Garland said, lack refrigerated storage or are only open a day or so a week to dispense food. In those cases, crops such as carrots, beets or potatoes are easier to handle and keep than perishable fresh greens or beans, which may be more appropriate for soup kitchens that prepare and serve daily meals.
It can also come down to demand, she said.
“If the sites only want cucumbers, we ask our gardeners to grow more cucumbers and not force kale down their throats,” Garland said. “We also work with the sites so they can demonstrate how to prepare some of the other produce in ways to get people to consume more healthy food options.”
There is little doubt the program that gets the fresh, healthy food to Mainers is needed in the state, she said.
“It’s one of the favorite parts of my job,” Garland said. “The stories that I hear are really powerful.”
The memory of a person she knew who came to her some years back, saying they were in need of food still impacts Garland.
“I still get choked up about it,” she said. “This was someone I had no idea was in such a tough place. I was always passionate about wanting to minimize food insecurity, but this really made it hit home.”
Ben Scheetz is a master gardener and board member of the Bangor Area Food Council who shares Garland’s passion.
“We who love to garden, love that this is a way to help people,” Scheetz said. “I was very naive on how much food insecurity there is in our community and in our state, and to be able to help fill those gaps with fresh produce is wonderful.”
Scheetz works with other growers on the University of Maine’s demonstration gardens and said 100 percent of the produce grown there — 9,000 pounds last year — goes to area food distribution sites such as Hope House, Manna Ministries and local food pantries.
“My first time involved [in Maine Harvest for Hunger], I was able to deliver a lot of the food directly to the sites,” Scheetz said. “It was amazing to see first-hand how it was appreciated and to interact with the staff. You can tell they are very thankful and that what we are doing definitely means a lot.”
Anyone can be involved, whether they garden or not, Garland said.
“It’s really about connecting the people who need it with healthy food,” she said. “If you’re not a gardener, you can volunteer with a gleaning program or with helping to distribute the food to sites who need it. Just see if there is a food distribution site in your area and have a conversation with the people there.”
People interested in volunteering with Maine Harvest for Hunger can also contact their local University of Maine Cooperative Extension office, Garland said.
“Maine Harvest for Hunger has become an important part of what we do at extension,” Wertheim said. “The food system is what we do by helping farmers and gardeners grow better food and helping to reduce food insecurity is part of that, as well.”
