42,000 pounds of fresh produce
gleaned in 2011.

It was a great year for growing, according to Volunteer Coordinator Dena Rogers. Gleaning (picking surplus crops after the main harvest) brought about 42,000 pounds of fresh produce into the Food Bank—roughly double the average year’s total.

Another big jump: the number of gleaning volunteers. Usually between 200 and 250 people help pick surplus food. This year, 341 showed up.

Concord grapes were a new item for us this year. Also for the first time, this year’s crops included raspberries, green beans, corn and watermelons–along with the apples, strawberries and peaches we depend on year after year.

To learn more about gleaning, or to volunteer, click here.