College of the Atlantic
IN-27: Innovation D

College of the Atlantic’s student-run, social justice-inspired Share the Harvest food equity program built on their success with the addition of a new element in 2018—food vouchers for a local farmers’ market. In doing so, Share the Harvest coordinators extended their support to area farmers, forged deeper connections with the local food system, and addressed transportation inequities faced by some community members. Share the Harvest serves as a liaison between low-income residents and local food, ensuring access to the space, knowledge, and resources necessary to sustaining an equitable food system. Directed by a crew of several student coordinators, the group works closely with COA Beech Hill Farm staff, the student work-study farm crew, and COA food systems faculty toward their goal of filling critical gaps in local food access by providing fresh, organic, and local produce. Share the Harvest has typically offered vouchers and farm-share parcels for the farmstand at COA Beech Hill Farm. In 2018, the group introduced vouchers that participants could redeem at the Bar Harbor Farmers’ Market. By doing so, they provided access to fresh, organic produce to people living in town without transportation (the market is held downtown) while also building connections and awareness of food insecurity among regional farmers. The program further served to bring low-income people into contact with local food systems in new ways. The voucher program, which was funded in part by The Maine Hunger Dialogue, offered 28 vouchers to 51 individuals, at a cost of $2,385. The farmers’ market voucher program helped Share the Harvest expand by 30 percent in 2018, supporting over 113 households and 181 individuals and families. By working with Share the Harvest, student coordinators, work-study assistants, and student volunteers gain practical, real-world experience with food justice and social sustainability issues. The organization offers students an opportunity to apply knowledge and critical thinking skills gained in food systems courses to the greater community outside of the College.