Share the Harvest is a farm based food access program that aims to ensure that fresh, local, and organic produce be more accessible to low income residents of the Mount Desert Island community. We are a collaboration between College of the Atlantic students and farmers at Beech Hill Farm, working as liaisons between low income residents, summer workers, and local food, ensuring access to the space, knowledge, and the resources that it takes to sustain an equitable food system. To benefit from our program, you must meet a certain income guideline and either be a summer worker or permanent resident in Hancock County.

About the Application Process:

  • Applications for this season will be received from the Bar Harbor Food Pantry, several housing complexes around the island, online, by mail, or by phone call. The deadline for applying is May 20th. Services will be given on a first come, first serve basis. We are truly sorry that we may not be able to provide services to everyone who applies. In early-June, we will let you know by mail, email, or phone call that you have been accepted into our programs.

State Government Income Guidelines:

Household Size:

1 Person

2 People

3 People

4 People

5 People

Annual Income:  

$22,311    

$30,044    

$37,777   

$45,510   

$53,243   

These income guidelines are provided as a general reference. Share the Harvest recognizes that the numbers can be arbitrary and not account for other kinds of challenging circumstances. Therefore, we trust that because you are actively seeking the services provided by Share the Harvest, that you do, indeed, need the support of this program. We  will treat each individual with care, dignity, and confidentiality and are committed to protecting your privacy.

Services:

    • Farm Stand Voucher Program : Receive a voucher to purchase products at the Beech Hill Farm stand. This voucher can be redeemed at any time throughout the season (June-October, Tuesday-Saturday 9am to 4pm) to purchase produce and food products from other local vendors.
    • Bar Harbor Farmers Market Voucher Program: Receive a voucher to purchase products at the Eden Farmers Market in the Bar Harbor. The market is in the YMCA parking lot on Sundays from 9am-12pm. This voucher can be redeemed at any time from June-October, and can be used to purchase food products and produce from many different market vendors.
    • Harvest Delivery: This option is specifically designed for community members who are unable to transport themselves to the farm stand. During the season you will receive three deliveries of fresh, local, organic produce from Beech Hill Farm (two during the summer and one during the fall). We will contact you to give you the schedule for these deliveries once the season has begun.
    • NEW Delivery Option—MDI Food Access Project’s Good Food Box: Share the Harvest is now part of the MDI Food Access Project. By signing up for The Good Food Box, you will receive a weekly delivery of prepared meals, pantry items, and fresh produce at no cost. You will begin receiving deliveries in July as part of the summer session. If you would like this option, please see more info and apply at: www.opentablemdi.org/mdi-food-access-project/.

Bonus Service: We accept cash, cards, WIC, FMNP vouchers, and EBT at the Beech Hill Farmstand. When you use these benefits we will double your dollar (ex. If you are charged $20, you only pay $10!) and you will also receive Maine Harvest Bucks which you can use on future purchases of fruits and vegetables at Beech Hill Farmstand.

If you have questions about the program, please call us at 207-801-0135 or email sharetheharvest@coa.edu.