Eve’s Garden combats food insecurity in Maine with long-term conservation and community engagement

Kate Spardello, co-owner of Eve’s Garden, showcases freeze-dried food and their mission to fight food insecurity at their booth at the Farmington Fair in Farmington earlier this year. File photo/Franklin Magazine

KINGFIELD — At Eve’s Garden, the commitment to combating food insecurity runs deep, with a commitment to reducing food waste and providing access to nutritious foods throughout Maine.

Founded by Kate and Michael Spardello, the nonprofit organization has planted roots in Franklin County with a mission to support those without consistent access to meals. The organization was inspired by summer gardens with fruits and vegetablesis expanding its impact through community support and innovative use of freeze-drying technology.

Spardello explained that Eve’s Garden was driven by the couple’s desire to use their skills to support others. “Michael and I thought about what we were good at and how we could transfer those skills to have a positive impact on the world around us,” he said.

“We decided we were good at cooking, so we chose to cook for people in Franklin County who were stay-at-home, elderly, or physically or financially unable to eat or prepare meals.” This first phase of food support, launched in 2019, has proven invaluable, allowing them to meet an urgent need in the community.

The Spardellos soon realized that food preservation efforts needed to be expanded for those who needed more support. They started by freezing meals to ensure continuity of supply, especially for those with limited access. “Franklin County is geographically huge, and so supplementing fresh meals with frozen meals has allowed us to serve more people more often,” Spardello said. he said. Their work to combat food insecurity has been supported by an innovative switch to freeze-drying, which allows them to prepare foods with a shelf life of up to 25 years.

“Food waste elimination really requires the ability to preserve food for long periods of time, and so the freeze-drying component has become necessary,” Spardello added.

Eve’s Garden, a Kingfield-based nonprofit founded by Kate and Michael Spardello, is addressing food insecurity and food insecurity in Maine by freeze-drying nutritious meals and providing critical support to underserved communities across the state, seen at the Farmington Fair in Farmington earlier this year. finds solutions to waste. File photo/Franklin Magazine

Eve’s Garden has expanded its reach by partnering with farms and food producers in Maine to save excess harvests that might otherwise go to waste. “If someone produces 400 pounds of blueberries, we can freeze-dry those blueberries and package them for long-term storage, thus preventing food waste,” Spardello explained. “And apples, which are the mainstay of Maine food crops.” For Spardello, freeze-drying is about more than just preservation; is about providing accessible, high-quality food to those in need. He noted that the process “removes all moisture from the item,” effectively protecting against moisture, light and bacteria that can spoil food.

Eve’s Garden’s mission goes beyond providing meals; Spardello said it’s about embodying the belief that caring for communities is up to communities.

“Core value profoundly shapes our daily operations because it underpins every choice we make,” Spardello emphasized. This commitment has shaped the nonprofit’s practices and partnerships, which include collaborations with community organizations, food pantries and local grocers.

The organization also focused on ensuring Maine’s “low-barrier food pantries.” “These pantries provide food without restrictive requirements, and we support their mission that if a person or family is hungry, that person or family deserves food,” Spardello explained. This belief has led Eve’s Garden to provide meals and other essential supplies, including personal hygiene products and pet food, to those who otherwise cannot afford them.

Eve’s Garden of Kingfield showcases its freeze-dried foods and mission to combat food insecurity at its booth at the Fiddlehead Festival earlier this year. File photo/Franklin Magazine

Running a nonprofit organization dedicated to food aid presents some challenges, especially when it comes to funding. “It is clear that money is needed to buy food, gasoline is needed to deliver meals, and electricity is needed to maintain them,” Spardello said. They were able to overcome these obstacles by creating ongoing fundraisers such as selling freeze-dried candies, ice creams, and fruits to sustain their operations. However, increased competition in the freeze-dried food market has created new challenges. “The area has gotten pretty crowded in the last year,” he added. “We continue to follow these routes and are grateful to the people who continue to look for us.”

Another hurdle is addressing misinformation about their organization from others in the community. “Another challenge with the more competitive environment is how to deal with other organizations that are saying false things about us to eliminate our ability to raise funds for our program,” Spardello explained. “We resist the urge to lash out, but since gossip is a virus, we worry that some people may believe false and malicious rumors and choose not to support our mission. “We have not yet determined how best to address this looming threat.” Despite this, she and Michael are determined to stay focused on their mission, believing that the positive impact they bring to communities will outweigh the challenges they face.

Eve’s Garden has ambitious plans for the future. “We are always trying to serve more people in larger parts of Maine,” Spardello said, hinting at new ideas for 2025 that would enable broader participation and deeper community engagement. For now, they continue to connect with supporters at local events like the Farmington Fair, where they educate attendees about their mission and identify people who could benefit from their services. “We love attending events in Farmington, Wilton and other parts of Franklin County because that’s where we’re based,” he said. These events allow the Spardellos to develop relationships and raise awareness of Eve’s Garden’s goals.

A closer look at the colorful, freeze-dried treats prepared by Eve’s Garden, a Kingfield nonprofit that turns candy sales into food support for Maine families. Sent photo

In addition to freeze-drying conventional produce and pantry staples, Eve’s Garden is dedicated to sustainability by freeze-drying commonly discarded items like nutrient-rich citrus peels and strawberry tops. “We also freeze-dry food ingredients that contain valuable antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients that many people would consider disposable,” Spardello said. This focus on sustainability aligns with their mission to reduce food waste and promote environmental stewardship.

Community support is an integral part of Eve’s Garden, and Spardello emphasized how individuals can contribute to their mission. “The primary way people can get involved is by talking to local grocers and asking them to carry Eve’s Garden freeze-dried products,” he said. Donations are also welcomed, from food and funds to gas cards.

Reflecting on the personal impact of this work, Spardello expressed a deep sense of purpose. “Truly Eve’s Garden and its mission provided the meaning and purpose of life that had been missing for so many years,” he said. Through Eve’s Garden, the Spardellos have witnessed the generosity and kindness of their community. “We learned that so many people want to help others in the community, that even the smallest act of kindness can make a big impact,” Spardello added.

Those who would like to support Eve’s Garden can reach us via email at [email protected] or by phone at 207-340-8215.

Dylan Granquist (left) of Dixfield selects freeze-dried strawberries from Kate Spardello, co-owner of Eve’s Garden in Kingfield, at her booth in the Starbird Building on the opening day of the Farmington Fair in Farmington earlier this year. File Photo Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser

Copy Story Link