Michael Mirabito, of Niantic, a volunteer with the East Lyme Giving Garden, inspects tomato vines at the group’s plot on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, at 4 Church Lane in East Lyme. The group has harvested nearly 3,500 pounds of produce this year and is on pace to break last year’s total of 4,000 pounds. After each harvest, the produce is picked up and distributed by the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. The garden welcomes volunteers to assist in harvests with no experience required. On Sept. 3, the group will be hosting an open garden and ribbon cutting for their new shed. (Daniel Passapera/Special to The Day)

Volunteers with the East Lyme Giving Garden harvest tomatoes in their plot at 4 Church Lane in East Lyme on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. The group has harvested nearly 3,500 pounds of produce this year and is on pace to break last year’s total of 4,000 pounds. After each harvest, the produce is picked up and distributed by the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. The garden welcomes volunteers to assist in harvests with no experience required. On Sept. 3, the group will be hosting an open garden and ribbon cutting for their new shed. (Daniel Passapera/Special to The Day)

East Lyme Giving Garden volunteers harvest nearly 450 pounds of produce from their plot at 4 Church Lane in East Lyme on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. The group has harvested nearly 3,500 pounds of produce this year and is on pace to break last year’s total of 4,000 pounds. After each harvest, the produce is picked up and distributed by the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. The garden welcomes volunteers to assist in harvests with no experience required. On Sept. 3, the group will be hosting an open garden and ribbon cutting for their new shed. (Daniel Passapera/Special to The Day)

An abundance of tomatoes extends from a vine at the East Lyme Giving Garden at 4 Church Lane in East Lyme on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. The group has harvested nearly 3,500 pounds of produce this year and is on pace to break last year’s total of 4,000 pounds. After each harvest, the produce is picked up and distributed by the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. The garden welcomes volunteers to assist in harvests with no experience required. On Sept. 3, the group will be hosting an open garden and ribbon cutting for their new shed. (Daniel Passapera/Special to The Day)

Volunteers with the East Lyme Giving Garden wrap up their morning harvest at 4 Church Lane to beat the heat on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022 in East Lyme. The group has harvested nearly 3,500 pounds of produce this year and is on pace to break last year’s total of 4,000 pounds. After each harvest, the produce is picked up and distributed by the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. The garden welcomes volunteers to assist in harvests with no experience required. On Sept. 3, the group will be hosting an open garden and ribbon cutting for their new shed. (Daniel Passapera/Special to The Day)

A green bell pepper is left to ripen after a morning harvest at the East Lyme Giving Garden at 4 Church Lane in East Lyme on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. The group has harvested nearly 3,500 pounds of produce this year and is on pace to break last year’s total of 4,000 pounds. After each harvest, the produce is picked up and distributed by the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. The garden welcomes volunteers to assist in harvests with no experience required. On Sept. 3, the group will be hosting an open garden and ribbon cutting for their new shed. (Daniel Passapera/Special to The Day)