A Maine School District Just Accidentally Served Baked Dirt for Dessert

As a veteran of the local public school system, I can attest that, at times, it wasn't always easy to identify the origins of some of the meals served up in the cafeteria. However, I don't believe it ever included dirt for dessert.

Some kids up the highway in Maine were not so lucky.

According to CBS 13 WGME, "A dish of baked dirt was accidentally served during a community supper in Waldoboro (Maine)."

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From Science Experiment to Dessert Table

"In a statement released by Medomak Valley High School, officials say a science experiment where students baked dirt to test how plants would grow after was accidentally served as a dessert," according to the station.

Principal Linda Pease posted to Facebook that the mix-up was an "unfortunate accidental incident." She explained that a classroom experiment involving "baked potting soil" was accidentally included with food and served during the annual Empty Bowl Supper.

"Three students briefly put some of the soil in their mouths, believing it to be a dessert item, before immediately realizing what it was," Pease said. "This was a completely accidental situation and absolutely not a prank."

The Empty Bowl Supper Mix-Up

Boston.com reported the Empty Bowl Supper, a "longstanding community event," was held on May 13, 2026.

Once baked, the potting soil was covered with foil and placed near the stove, away from the food items prepared for the supper. Somehow, the dirt found its way to the table, where it was confused for food.

Pease informed the parents of the students involved in the incident and met with the students the following day.

No hard feelings to the cafeteria workers I may have offended in my opening remarks. It has been over 50 years since I graduated from the New Bedford Public School System; I'm sure they stopped serving creamed turkey, scoops of sticky rice, and fish sticks with Creole sauce a long time ago.