Hunger is a significant problem in Washington County, and it is on the rise. Recent food insecurity reports place the county as having the least regular access to food in New England, for both children and adults, and earlier this year federally funded programs that provide food to those that need it most were cut -- raising major concerns about the year ahead. Relief organizations and community members alike are rallying to do what they can to meet the need and offset the long standing and worsening situation.
      "It takes a toll on us. I'm constantly worrying and under stress," says Meg, who lives with her family in Machias and asked that her last name not be used. Both she and her husband work full time, she as a certified residential medication aide and direct support person and he as a manager in a fast food restaurant. They have two children, one of whom has special needs. "I'm always skipping meals so my kids and husband can eat. Sometimes I don't eat at all in the run of a day. Sometimes my husband doesn't eat because there just isn't enough for us."
      In the case of Meg and her family, they make slightly too much to qualify for federal assistance. It leaves them in the difficult place of choosing what to pay -- utilities, car payments, medication co payments, all of which are desperately needed. "Some weeks we only have $100 for a week's worth of food, and the way prices have been going up that doesn't buy much of anything." While her family utilizes the local food pantry, "they don't have much to offer since the cuts to funding were made," she says, referring to the federal cuts to the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) and the Emergency Food Assistance Program that has decreased Good Shepherd Food Bank's purchasing power by almost half.
      Not having sufficient access to food is "an emotional rollercoaster," Meg says. Sometimes it's anger at how this shouldn't be happening. "We both work full time. We both bring in a paycheck, and it's still not enough." Sometimes it's envy seeing someone's full grocery cart "while I'm carrying my two bags of $100 out the door of the store thinking that it must be nice not to have to worry about food or where the next meal comes from." And sometimes it's sadness. "My children shouldn't have to worry where their next meal is coming from or if they will eat at all. The system has failed a majority of us. We are not lazy, we do work full-time, and yet we can barely survive with both of us working."
      Meg and her family aren't alone. Feeding America and U.S. Department of Agriculture data show Washington County as having a rate of 18% for food insecurity, meaning 18% of households with adults are unable to acquire an adequate amount of food. Child food insecurity, meanwhile, is at 27% -- with both figures being the highest in New England. Statewide, food pantry usage went up 36% between 2022 2024, reports Good Shepherd Food Bank.
      It's a situation too many are familiar with, says Jasmine Haines, Washington County food programs manager with Healthy Acadia. She describes food insecurity in the county as a complicated issue "rooted in poverty, rural isolation and systemic challenges" that worsens when there are cuts at the federal and state level. "Jobs are often seasonal or low wage, and with little to no public transportation even getting to a grocery store or food pantry can be tough -- especially for elders or families without reliable vehicles."
      Even as access to food can be limited, the county struggles with a second major barrier, Haines says. "Sometimes people think they shouldn't ask for help because someone else has it worse. But food isn't a luxury -- it's a basic need. You don't have to wait until the cupboard is empty to reach out. We all need to eat every day, and it's OK to ask for support when times are tough."
      While there are fewer resources coming in from the federal government, "resources remain here in Washington County," Haines says. Programs such as Senior FarmShare, which provides adults with up to $50 in fresh, local produce, and SUN Bucks, which provides a grocery benefit to eligible students during summer break, are "lifelines," Haines says, "but only if people participate."
      Other solutions are coming in the form of increasing numbers of community suppers and community gardens, Haines says, along with the efforts of organizations that are banding together to figuratively move mountains. To help counter the loss of the LFPA and the ensuing impact on area food pantries, for example, Healthy Acadia is one of seven organizations around the state that have rapidly formed a new program called Farm to Neighbor. It's aiming to raise $750,000 to distribute to farmers to grow food for pantries across the state.
      "We're doing our best to replace what we had before," says Katie Freedman, community health and food programs director at Healthy Acadia. "Our goal is to replace the funds and funnel it back to the farmers to uphold the original purpose of the LFPA."
      While the program is moving fast – with $90,000 raised in May – It's too late for this season. "There will be a disruption for this growing period, no matter what we do," Freedman says, explaining that the farmers have already had to adjust for not receiving anticipating LFPA funding and food that has already been grown will not be going to charitable distribution. But the early progress is encouraging and instills hope for next year. "It's that generosity, that Maine can do spirit and attitude on display. I love seeing it."
      The Farm to Neighbor program is actively making connections around Washington County, with retail establishments to set up programs at the register as well as with restaurants to develop special menu items that will be marked as contributing to Farm to Neighbor. Businesses interested in participating should contact Kylie Welch at kylie@farm2neighbormaine.org.
      Some businesses are folding community support into their models. The Mindful Loaf in Steuben, for example, runs a regular "pay what you can" offering on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with breads that are a day old sold for whatever a person can afford. "This gives those who may be struggling the opportunity to put some wholesome food on their table, it ensures I am not left with any product that ends up going to waste and it is exactly the way I was looking to provide for the community -- so it is a win win win in my eyes," says owner Kelli Alley.
      The pay-what-you-can program has been so successful at the Mindful Loaf that Alley has started baking extra to ensure that there are loaves available for those in need. She's also started offering her own produce under the same model. "I have been told stories by some of how, at a point when they were struggling, being able to come get something from the stand allowed them to put food on the table. That is really what it is all about for me -- and as long as I can afford to make it possible, I intend to keep offering it."
      "Now more than ever, we need to ask: Does my neighbor have enough? And just as importantly, remind ourselves: It's OK to ask for help," says Haines. "The challenges are real – but so is the strength of this place. There's a deep well of care and commitment here – and that's what gives me hope."