Twin Villages Foodbank Farm (TVFF) in Damariscotta is setting an ambitious goal for its second season, growing even more fresh nutrient-dense food to serve many more outlets in Lincoln County. TVFF plans to grow and distribute over 30,000 pounds of produce to seven Lincoln County food pantries and two area youth programs.

The Damariscotta River Association (DRA) serves as fiscal sponsor and provides land for the farm, which is located at DRA’s Great Salt Bay Farm. TVFF currently has two acres in production, using organic growing practices. Already, thousands of seedlings have been started in the greenhouse, the garlic is up, and over 8,000 onions have been transplanted into the fields.

TVFF also manages a centrally located food storage hub in the Darrows Barn at DRA’s Round Top Farm where pantry staff can store and pick up produce when it’s most convenient, since most pantries do not have enough dry or cold storage. TVFF is working to acquire a second large walk-in cooler, a walk-in freezer and to increased dry storage in order to be able to distribute more food. Many pantries report seeing an increase in need. Maine currently ranks third in the nation for food insecurity.

Happily, TVFF enjoys strong support from area schools. Over 250 students from Great Salt Bay Community School and Lincoln Academy are scheduled to volunteer in the garden in May and June.

Twin Villages Foodbank Farm operates through donated Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares. This variation on the CSA model allows individuals, families and businesses to purchase a symbolic farm share which will then be donated for distribution to Lincoln County pantries. Sponsored farm shares are available at different levels.

For more information or to donate, Farm Manager Sara Cawthon invites you to be in touch at scawthon@twinvillagesfarm.org or to visit TVFF’s website at www.twinvillagesfarm.org.