Calling all fruits and veggies.
The Clallam County Gleaner volunteer group is in search of produce to pick and share with the community this growing season.
“Gleaning is an old-fashioned word that means harvesting extra fruits and vegetables which are left in the field after a farmer has already picked everything they can sell,” AmeriCorps intern/WSU Food Recovery Coordinator Sharah Truett says.
“In our case, you don’t have to be a farmer to participate. You just need to have some extra fruits and veggies growing in your garden,” she says.
Homeowners with extra fruits such as raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, grapes, apricots, kiwi, figs and cultivated blackberries are especially encouraged to donate because these fruits are scarce. Garden fresh vegetables are also in great demand.
However, any fruit is welcome, Truett says.
Operated through the WSU Extension Office, the Clallam Gleaning Program has a dual goal: reducing food waste in Clallam County, while also addressing hunger and poor nutrition. In 2017, Clallam gleaners rescued more than 50,000 pounds of produce that was distributed to those in need in Clallam County.
Truett says the process is simple: “A gleaning volunteer come to your house and picks your extra produce. Our program allows the volunteer take some of the produce for themselves, but they are asked donate at least half of what they pick to food banks, schools, senior nutrition programs, residential facilities, churches, etc. This way, the food is spread as widely as possible in our community and not left to rot under trees.”
Gleaning volunteers take a ladder safety test to be covered under the WSU Extension Office’s insurance, and produce donors are covered under the Good Samaritan Law.
Produce donors can receive a tax credit receipt for produce donated upon request.
To share produce to be gleaned, homeowners can contact Truett at 360-565-2619 or struett@co.clallam.wa.us.
Protect those trees
Fruit tree owners wanting to learn more about how to protect their trees from pest damage should drop into a Master Gardeners plant clinic, held on an ongoing basis at the Woodcock Demonstration Garden, 2711 Woodcock Road, Sequim, on Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., from May 26-Sept. 29.
Clinics are also held 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through Oct. 15 at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.
Get more information about tree protection by calling the plant clinic helpline at 360-417-2514 or by email at mgplantclinic.clallam@gmail.com.