Progressive Incredible Edible Schoodic (PIES)

Progressive Incredible Edible Schoodic (PIES) is seeking input from youth and adults across the Schoodic Peninsula region, and youth interested in growing their own food! Building on the efforts of the Incredible Edible Schoodic initiative, which established small public garden spaces throughout Gouldsboro and Winter Harbor that are planted and tended by local volunteers to provide a source of free fresh food for the community, Progressive Incredible Edible Schoodic (PIES) is what this community imagines the future community food security to be.

The initiative was launched by the Schoodic Community Food Council, a group of passionate individuals from Gouldsboro/Winter Harbor and surrounding areas who came together in the fall of 2019 to discuss their visions for food and garden projects on the Schoodic Peninsula. This initiative was hosted and coordinated by: Healthy Acadia's Jada Wensman, Food Program Coordinator and Gabe O'Brien, Youth Engagement Coordinator.

Many project ideas have come out of the group, including year-round community meals, local composting, apple gleaning and Incredible Edible Schoodic, which kicked off in the summer of 2020.

Incredible Edible Schoodic

Similar to the early inception of Incredible Edible Milbridge, through the Incredible Edible Schoodic initiative, small public garden spaces have been planted throughout Gouldsboro and Winter Harbor and are tended by local volunteers to provide a source of free fresh food for the community. Raised beds and containers have sprung up at the Dorcas Library, Winter Harbor Library, Life Line Food Pantry, WhoPaints and a few other locations.

Each garden space is maintained by one or two volunteers who can commit to caring for the plants all summer. Signage was created in 2020 to connect all the sites with clear branding.

Harvested food is shared with the Life Line Food Pantry, offered “free for the taking” and/or shared at community dinners.

Progressive Incredible Edible Schoodic (PIES)

Progressive Incredible Edible Schoodic (PIES) is what this community imagines the future community food security to be. In 2022 owe are making an effort to invite local youth to experience growing their own food. We hope this motivates learning more through Ag in the Classroom and Farm to School possibilities and being part of a community-wide solution for food security, and envision school gardens, greenhouses, or community gardens and community meals for all may bloom out of this experience.

Join Us!

We currently have raised beds and are looking for accessible host sites and volunteers to help maintain them. We are especially interested in working with RSU 24 youth/families, experienced gardeners, and excited community members.

Everyone at the Table: MAINE'S ROADMAP TO END HUNGER > by 2030

Healthy Acadia’s AmeriCorps/Hunger Free America VISTA Food Security Coordinator Emily Shanahan and Sandy Fortin, Let's Go! 5210 Coordinator have joined forces with Gabe, who now coordinates regional youth engagement activities with Maine Youth Action Network, to continue this work with "Progressive" Incredible Edible Schoodic (PIES) Strategic Planning for "Imagining Our Future Community.” Gouldsboro - Winter Harbor area residents of all ages and abilities are welcome to join - the only requirement is that you love food. We want EVERYONE AT THE TABLE!

Progressive Incredible Edible Schoodic is looking for input and insights from community members.

Community members - we want to hear from you!

Share your thoughts and insights by completing our survey: bit.ly/PIESSurvey

Youth Survey

Youth in grades 7-12 are invited to complete the MYAN Youth Engagement Survey to share their ideas and join efforts in Imagining our Future Community: bit.ly/youthsurvey-rsu24.

How do YOU Imagine the Future of Incredible Edible Schoodic and other community building food access initiatives?

  • Do you know any businesses, community organizations, or individuals who might like to host a small planter or garden bed in their yard, or support the effort with time or supplies?

  • Do you know a neighbor who would benefit from growing their own food, but maybe they need a co-host to help along the way?

  • Let us know!

Send your questions, comments, or recommendations to sandy.fortin@healthyacadia.org and/or emily.shanahan@healthyacadia.org.

POSTTracey CarlsonCE, HFFA, SB, HPM, AHE