Kate Spardello, co-owner of Eve’s Garden, introduces freeze-dried foods and their mission to combat food insecurity at their booth at the Farmington Fair earlier this year in Farmington. Archive photo/Franklin Journal

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

Founded by Kate and Michael Spardello, the nonprofit organization took root in Franklin County with a mission to support those who cannot regularly access meals. The organization, 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 born from the couple’s desire to use their skills to support others. “Michael and I thought about our areas of expertise and how we could transfer those skills to make a positive impact on the world around us,” she said.

“We determined that we were good at cooking and therefore chose to prepare meals for people in Franklin County who are homebound, elderly, or physically or financially unable to access or prepare meals.” This first phase of food support, which began in 2019, has proven invaluable, helping to meet an urgent need within the community.

Soon, the Spardellos recognized the need to expand meal preservation efforts for those who needed extended support. They began by freezing meals to ensure continuity of supply, especially for those with limited access. “Franklin County is geographically huge,” Spardello said, “and so supplementing fresh meals with frozen meals has allowed us to serve more people more frequently.” Their work to combat food insecurity was bolstered by an innovative transition to freeze-drying, which allowed them to prepare foods with a shelf life of up to 25 years.

“Eliminating food waste really requires the ability to preserve food long-term and so the freeze-drying component became necessary,” Spardello added.

Eve’s Garden, a Kingfield-based nonprofit founded by Kate and Michael Spardello, fights food insecurity and waste in Maine by freeze-drying nutritious meals and providing critical support to underserved communities across the country. ‘State, seen here at the Farmington Fair earlier this year in Farmington. Archive photo/Franklin Journal

Eve’s Garden has expanded its reach by working with Maine farms and food producers to reclaim excess crops that otherwise might go to waste. Spardello shared, “If someone produces 400 pounds of blueberries, we can freeze-dry them and package them for long-term storage, preventing food waste,” she explained. “So do apples, which make up the bulk of Maine’s food crops.” For Spardello, the freeze-drying method goes far beyond simple preservation; it’s about providing accessible, high-quality food to those who need it. She noted that the process “removes all moisture from the item,” effectively protecting it from moisture, light and bacteria that could spoil food.

Eve’s Garden’s mission goes beyond providing meals; Spardello said it’s about embodying the belief that it’s up to communities to take care of their communities.

Spardello emphasized: “Core value profoundly shapes our daily operations because it is fundamental to every choice we make. » 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 providing Maine’s “low-barrier food pantries.” Spardello explained, “These pantries provide food without restrictive requirements, and we support their mission that if a person or family is hungry, then that person or family deserves food. » This belief has driven Eve’s Garden to provide meals and other essentials, including personal hygiene products and pet food, to those who might otherwise go without.

Kingfield’s Eve’s Garden is showcasing its freeze-dried foods and mission to combat food insecurity at its booth at the Fiddlehead Festival earlier this year. Archive photo/Franklin Journal

Running a non-profit organization dedicated to food relief has its challenges, particularly when it comes to funding.. “Obviously you need money to buy food, gas to deliver the meals and electricity to store them,” Spardello said. They were able to overcome these obstacles by creating perpetual fundraisers, such as selling freeze-dried candy, ice cream and fruit, to support their operations. However, competition has intensified in the freeze-dried food market, creating new challenges. “The space has become very busy over the last year,” she added. “We continue to follow these routes and are grateful to the people who continue to reach out to us. »

Another obstacle has been dealing with misinformation about their organization from other members of the community. “Another challenge, related to a more competitive environment, is how to deal with other organizations when they say false things about us in order to take away our ability to raise funds for our program,” explained Spardello . “We resist the urge to lash out, but, rumors being a virus, we fear that some people will believe the false and vicious rumors and choose not to support our mission. We have not yet determined the best way to overcome this looming threat. Despite this, she and Michael remain committed to focusing on their mission, believing that the positive impact they bring to communities outweighs the challenges they face.

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

Take a close look at the colorful freeze-dried treats made by Eve’s Garden, a Kingfield nonprofit that turns candy sales into food support for Maine families. Photo submitted

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

Community support is an integral part of Eve’s Garden, and Spardello emphasized how individuals can contribute to their mission. “The main way people can get involved is to talk to their local grocers and ask them to bring freeze-dried items from Eve’s Garden,” she said. Donations, whether food, money or gas cards, are also welcome.

Reflecting on the personal impact of this work, Spardello expressed a deep sense of determination. “In reality, Eve’s Garden and its mission provided the meaning and purpose of life that had been missing for many years,” she 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, even the smallest kindness can have a huge impact,” Spardello added.

Those interested in supporting Eve’s Garden can contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at 207-340-8215.

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

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