Wednesday, Sept. 20, hay bales, pumpkins, gourds and flowers set the mood for a festive harvest lunch at the Troy Howard Middle School in Belfast. Maine farmers and businesses provided most of the food served.

Emily Frost, left, Dustin Nadeau, Lindsay Harford, Antonia Flagg and Mr. Thurston calculate what the Garden Project will contribute to the harvest lunch. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Students and faculty had a choice of a turkey dinner that included corn on the cob, red mashed potatoes, gravy and carrots or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, with all the fixings. A salad bar and plain, chocolate or vanilla organic milk were also available.

Three hundred sixty meals were served, exceeding the goal set. Thanks were extended to the kitchen staff at the school for preparing the day’s meal.

The lunch was a collaboration by SAD 34’s food service department, school health coordinator, Healthy Maine Partnership, Healthy School Committee at the school and local farmers and businesses. Plans are in the works for a farm-to-school spring barbeque and fall harvest lunch in 2007.

Anyone interested in participating in future events should contact Linda Hartkopf, SAD 34’s school health coordinator, at 338-1960 or e-mail lhartkopf@sad34.net.

Enjoying the harvest lunch are, from left, Sarah Morton, Dawn Viles and Sarah Hierl.