After a successful haul in the first weeks of summer, local gleaners are transitioning to other crops.

Officials with the WSU Extension Office’s Clallam Gleaning Program say volunteers picked more than 300 pounds of fresh fruit such as raspberries, strawberries, cherries and loganberries from local gardens to donate to those in need.

Through the gleaner program, fruits and vegetables that are harvested through this program are donated to food banks, schools, senior centers, after-school programs and homeless resource centers. Gleaners also donate to elderly neighbors living on a fixed income.

Gleaners this summer also attended three different group harvesting events where they got to taste the fruit, take some home for themselves and learn about the importance of gleaning to the community. In addition to home gardens, gleaners also paid a visit to beautiful Robin Hill Farm County Park to harvest heritage cherry trees.

“The gardeners who offer up their extra produce truly embody the spirit of neighborliness,” WSU Extension Gleaning Coordinator Sharah Truett said. “They are wonderful examples of how local people can make a difference to help address hunger and poor nutrition in Clallam County.”

Gleaners are now looking for plums, blueberries and figs, Truett said.

“We are on the look-out for gardeners and farmers with these fruits who are willing to donate them to the gleaning program,” she said. “In fact, we are on the look-out for any ripe fruits and veggies you have growing.”

Or, Truett said, interested persons can sign up to be a gleaning volunteer.

To be put on the glean site list, contact Truett at 360-565-2619 or struett@co.clallam.wa.us.