Clallam Gleaners are in search of produce to pick and share with the community this growing season.

The Clallam Gleaning Program, run through the WSU Extension Office, has the dual goal of reducing food waste in Clallam County, while also addressing hunger and poor nutrition. Each year gleaners rescue tens of thousands of pounds of produce that would otherwise go to waste.

“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,” WSU Extension Gleaning Coordinator Sharah Truett said.

“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.”

Gleaning volunteers come to residents’ houses and pick the extra produce. The 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, shelters, etc.

“This way, the food is spread as widely as possible in our community and not left to rot under trees,” Truett said.

Homeowners with extra figs, peaches, apricots, walnuts, hazelnuts, grapes, vegetables or Italian Prune Plums in their gardens are particularly encouraged to donate, because these items are in great demand; however, any produce is welcome, program organizers say.

Homeowners can contact Truett at 360-565-2619 or at struett@co.clallam.wa.us to share produce to be gleaned.