From the beginning, our program has been dedicated to being open to all – regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity and expression, country of origin, social-economic status, faith background, marital status and family structure, mental and physical ability, immigration status or sexual orientation. Thus, people come to Open Table MDI for a wide variety of reasons:

• To enjoy conversation, friendship and community

• To enjoy a delicious and healthy meal

• To receive organic produce from our gleaning table

• To connect to other members of their community – both new and old

• To learn more about other resources available in the community

• To listen to music

• To allow their weekly food budget to go a little bit further

There are many different ways people learn about Open Table MDI:

• word of mouth and referrals from others

• friends and family

• school administration and teachers

• health care professionals

• Our Facebook and Instagram page

• Local Facebook groups

Starting at 4:00pm each evening, the parking lot of the Bar Harbor Congregational Church is available for public use. If you are coming before 4:00pm to help with a volunteer shift, please speak with someone in the kitchen and we will give you a parking permit for that lot.

If there is no space available in the Church parking lot, the closest parking available would be on Mount Desert Street or in the public parking lot off of Rodick Street. Off-season, parking is free. From May 15th -October 31st, these areas are metered by the Town of Bar Harbor, at a rate of $1.50 per hour. Open Table MDI is dedicated to reducing any barriers to people attending the supper – thus, if you feel you are unable to pay for parking, please utilize the Parking Jar (filled with quarters!) available in the dining area.

Open Table MDI does not currently run any transportation services to the supper.

However, from June 23rd – October 14th, Open Table MDI is easily accessible from all Island Explorer Bus routes, as we are located directly across from the Village Green.

Additionally, people looking for alternative transportation options, are encouraged to reach out to our community partner, Island Connections.

Open Table MDI is dedicated to serving vegetarian meals – without the use of meat, eggs, fish or poultry. We do serve dairy. There is always a vegan and gluten-free option available at each meal. We are dedicated to sourcing local and organic food whenever possible.

Check out some Open Table MDI recipes here:

FROM THE KITCHEN

Yes! Open Table MDI always offers the option to get food “to-go” for someone who is unable to attend the supper. We offer compostable take-out containers on-site, but do encourage people to bring their own reusable containers, if possible.