Summer is the season of events, galas, and get-togethers here in Maine. One of these events was Newcastle nonprofit Veggies to Table’s “Dîner en Blanc” Auction Fundraiser on Sunday, Aug. 11. 

Erica Berman, founder and executive director, announced that the event raised $187,695. “The funds raised at our auction will go straight back into our programming and to paying our team to keep growing top-quality organic produce and flowers to donate to those living with hunger in our community,” she said.

Visit veggiestotable.org/2024-auction to see the list of prizes and bids on the live auction and silent auction.

The event space was generously donated by Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay, and Brook Hazelton, former Christie’s President for the Americas, volunteered his time as auctioneer. This event was made possible with the support of many volunteers, donors, local businesses, and sponsors. Veggies to Table extends a heartfelt thank you to all of the following (and more!) business and personal sponsors:

Media Sponsors: Decor Maine ($6,500 value), Nomad Motors ($3,000 value), Eat Drink Lucky ($3,000 value)

“Plant” Sponsors: Zeb’s General Store ($3,000)  

“Seedling” Sponsors: Knickerbocker Group ($1,750), The First National Bank ($1,000), Grainger’s Deluxe Organic Vodka & M.S. Walker ($1,000), Maine Beer Company ($1,000), Nathan's Wellness Pharmacy and Apothecary ($1,000), Rising Tide Co-op ($1,000), Tindal and Callahan Real Estate ($1,000)  

“Seed” Sponsors: Beal House ($500), Flick the Tick ($500), Gerard’s Garden shop ($500), Roma Hoyt & Family ($500) Simmons Fish Market ($500)  

“Friend” Sponsors: Barn Door Bakery ($250), Barnes Custom Window Treatments ($250), Gwenn & Roger Wilson ($250), Midcoast Federal Credit Union ($250), Oysterhead Pizza Co. ($250), Riverside Butcher Co. ($250)  

Event Food, Drink, and Supplies all generously donated by: Allagash Brewing Company, Dodge Cove Marine Farm (Oysters), East Boothbay General Store (Baguettes), Footbridge Brewery, Glidden Point Oyster Farms (Oysters), Hannaford Damariscotta, Hootenanny Bread (Baguettes), Ideal Wines, Main Street Grocery, Martignetti Companies, Mine Oyster & Boothbay Harbor Restaurant Group (Tent, tables, and chairs), Moon Rise Confections (Cakes), Norumbega Oyster Company (Oysters), Oxbow Brewing Company, Oz Wine Company, Pine State Beverage (all non-alcoholic beverages), Ruby Wines, Stormalong Cider, Vineyard Road Wines, Whole Foods Market (baking supplies)  

Each and every one of the above people and businesses allowed Veggies to Table to keep event costs low, ensuring that even more of the funds raised went back into programming, translating directly to more vegetables on the plates of hungry community members. Veggies to Table always say it takes a village to work towards their mission, and this event showed just how true that is. If you’d like to support Veggies to Table and learn more about their work, you can visit their website: veggiestotable.org. To see their video and impact: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBeHGZ6dG1U&t=2s