Volunteers from LocalShare, a program of the Foodshed Alliance recently spent two hours gleaning vegetables from Caristi Farm in Blairstown. Thanks to volunteers Linda Rasmussen, Lianne Markus and Christine Parauda, they harvested 62 pints mixed yellow and orange cherry tomatoes and 20 lbs kale. The harvest was dropped off at the food pantry at the Knowlton Methodist Church for distribution to families in need.
Gleaning is an practice where people gather the useful remnants of a crop from the field after harvesting. Often, after a farmer has harvested a field, some of the crop remains behind, perhaps because the vegetables are too small, slightly bruised, or otherwise inappropriate for market. Yet, they are perfectly edible.
LocalShare connects people in need with local, organic food, organizes gleaning projects to both assist local farmers and to deliver food to those who need it most. The program is looking for volunteers to help with future gleaning projects. If you are interested, please email christine@foodshedalliance.org.
