TROY, N.Y. — Agricultural Stewardship Association (ASA) and Capital Roots are looking for fruit and vegetable growers that are willing to host gleanings, or donate excess produce from their farms or gardens. The Squash Hunger program at Capital Roots collects and distributes donated produce to local pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens throughout the Capital Region to provide greater nutrition for those most in need.
Gleaning is collecting produce that is left over in fields and gardens after the main harvest. When you host a gleaning or donate to Capital Roots, your surplus produce is going to a good cause and all donations are eligible for a tax deduction. Also, your farm’s liability is protected under the Good Samaritan Donation Act.
Growers are able to meet with experienced staff members to coordinate the gleaning event. Trained volunteers arrive at your farm to carefully pick and pack the produce. Capital Roots then transports and distributes the harvest within the community.
We hope that you consider joining our effort to help Squash Hunger in the Capital District. If you are interested in gleaning or donating already harvested produce, please call Elizabeth Burrichter at 518-274-8685 ext. 115 or email squashhunger@capitalroots.org
The Agricultural Stewardship Association was founded in 1990 by farmers to protect agricultural land and ensure a future for farming in our region. To date, ASA has helped protect 16,000 acres on 101 properties in Washington and Rensselaer counties. For more information about ASA’s work, visit www.agstewardship.org.
Capital Roots is a 40-year-old nonprofit organization that nourishes healthy communities with 51 Community Gardens, The Veggie Mobile®, Healthy Stores, The Produce Project, Squash Hunger and more. Capital Roots is headquartered at The Urban Grow Center, a regional food hub focused on urban agriculture and produce distribution to four counties. Learn more at www.capitalroots.org.
—Cornell Cooperative Extension
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