A Maine high school accidentally served baked potting soil as a dessert during a community charity event last week. The incident occurred at the annual Empty Bowl Supper at Medomak Valley High School, a community service event organised by the school.
According to a statement from Principal Linda Pease, the soil had been prepared earlier that day for a science experiment. Students had baked the potting soil in a foil-covered dish to sterilise it for testing plant growth. The dish was set aside on the stove, separate from the supper food, but was mistaken for a dessert during the rush to serve the meal.
Three students briefly put some of the soil in their mouths before realising it was not food. The dish was quickly removed from the serving area. School officials stressed that the error was accidental, not deliberate.
Administrators contacted the parents of the affected students and spoke with the children the following day. Pease expressed deep regret over the mistake, noting that the Empty Bowl Supper is a longstanding community event that means a great deal to the school and community.
