Maine high school accidentally serves science project at annual event to fight hunger: ‘Not a prank’

A Maine high school has apologized after staff accidentally served students baked potting soil at a community hunger-awareness event. A science class had prepared the soil earlier in the day for an experiment.

It happened at the annual Empty Bowl Supper at Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro, Maine. In a statement from Principal Linda Pease, shared on Facebook, the school said the mix-up was entirely accidental and “absolutely not a prank.”

Pease explained that students in a classroom had baked potting soil as part of a science-related activity focused on sterilizing soil before testing plant growth.

“The soil had been placed in a baking dish covered with foil and set off to the side of the stove area, separate from the Empty Bowl Supper food items,” the statement said.

A science experiment gone wrong

According to the school, the confusion occurred during the rush to bring food to serving tables at the Empty Bowl Supper. The event is a longstanding community service fundraiser intended to raise awareness about hunger and food insecurity. Staff and volunteers mistakenly identified the foil-covered dish as part of the meal service. They then carried it out with other food items.

The school said three students briefly put some of the soil into their mouths. They believed it was a dessert item. The students quickly realized what it was and stopped eating it immediately. “The item was removed from the serving tables,” the statement continued. “This was a completely accidental situation.”

School officials contacted parents of the students involved and spoke with the affected students the following day at school. School officials and local media report no serious injuries or illnesses.

The Empty Bowl Supper is part of a broader national Empty Bowls movement that encourages communities to hold simple meals and fundraising events to support hunger relief efforts and food assistance organizations. Schools, churches, and civic groups commonly host the events aross the United States.

Administrators describe the Medomak Valley High School’s version of the event as a meaningful tradition for both the school and the surrounding community.

“Those involved in organizing the Empty Bowl Supper, a longstanding community service event that means a great deal to our school and community, are deeply sorry that this occurred,” the statement said.

Several news outlets picked up the unusual, as it gained attention online after the school’s public notice circulated on social media. Coverage from local Maine outlet WMTW and national publications highlighted the school’s insistence that the incident was unintentional. The school encouraged anyone with concerns or questions to contact administrators directly.