Open Garden MDI

In the summer of 2021, Open Table MDI’s Food Access Project hired its first summer intern, funded by the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation. The intern was a College of the Atlantic (COA) student with both culinary and gardening experience. Unexpectedly and at the same time, COA adjunct faculty member Blake Cass donated a 30-by-70-foot plot on his property in Tremont for a pilot garden to share with Open Table MDI. Blake paid for and planted most of the garden, while the intern watered, weeded, and harvested the produce. Through this successful effort, Open Table MDI produced its own food for the first time!

In the winter of 2022, Open Table MDI and the Bar Harbor Garden Club (BHGC) formed a partnership to increase production and expand the garden. The 2,100-square-foot garden was reshaped into raised beds, and additional garden space was established out of Cass’s lawn to supply organic produce for the weekly Community Supper and the weekly MDI Food Access Project food boxes. That year, BHGC funded seeds, compost, and other supplies, as well as a portion of the garden manager’s salary. BHGC also encouraged its members to volunteer by helping with weeding, watering, and harvesting. An intern for the 2023 season was generously provided by the College of the Atlantic.

The vegetable garden consisted of twelve 4.5′ x 30′ raised beds, with two to three crop successions per bed. Planting began early in the season, and the garden was maintained for 24 weeks through the end of the growing season.

Project Goals were to:

  • Produce roughly 2,500 pounds of organic vegetables and herbs to complement food obtained through gleaning and other local farms

  • Increase the volume of fresh produce distributed through the Bar Harbor Community Supper and a mobile farm stand from 25% to 30% in 2023

  • Harness BHGC members’ gardening expertise and enthusiasm to help alleviate hunger and improve food security on MDI

  • Continue developing a strong partnership between BHGC and Open Table MDI

Although this project was ultimately discontinued, Open Table MDI remains deeply proud of what was accomplished through this collaboration. Together with the Bar Harbor Garden Club, College of the Atlantic, and the generosity of Blake Cass, we created a thriving, productive garden that increased access to fresh, organic food for our community and strengthened local partnerships. The success of this project demonstrated what is possible when shared values, expertise, and care for one another come together, and its impact continues to inform and inspire our food access work moving forward.

Project Partners