A dish of baked potting soil was accidentally served as dessert during a community charity event at a Maine high school last week.
The incident occurred on Wednesday during the annual Empty Bowl Supper at Medomak Valley High School, a community service event organized by the school.
According to a school statement issued by Principal Linda Pease, the soil was originally prepared earlier in the day for an academic project. Students working with a teacher had baked the potting soil in a foil-covered baking dish to sterilize it for a science activity testing subsequent plant growth.
The dish had been set to the side of the stove, separate from the food prepared for the evening supper. However, school officials said that during a rush to bring out the meal, the dish of soil was mistaken for food.
“In the effort to quickly deliver food to the serving tables, the dish was mistakenly identified as part of the meal and brought out for service,” Pease said in the statement. “Three students briefly put some of the soil in their mouths, believing it to be a dessert item, before immediately realizing what it was.”
The dish was removed from the serving area, and school officials later emphasized that the incident was entirely accidental rather than a deliberate act.
Administrators contacted the parents of the affected students and spoke with the children at school the following day.
“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,” Pease said.