Do you have excess produce every year from your garden? I know we sure do. There are only so many calories in a day, and sometimes, we just can’t eat or put up everything we grow. So, a big thanks to One Hundred Dollars a Month reader, Holly, for sharing a link to Ample Harvest. Ample Harvest is an organization that helps connect local gardeners with participating food pantries.
It allows gardeners to share some of their excess produce and provides fresh, local fruits and vegetables to an under served part of the population. I love this idea. It helps to eliminate food waste AND it provides healthy options for people who might otherwise be faced with over-processed malnutrition.
For the past couple of years, I have planted a row for the hungry. I have ample space, so planting a whole row dedicated to donation is no biggie for me. I had to call around to find out which pantries would take my donation. Ample Harvest makes it super simple, just click on the “For Gardeners” tab and find a local participating food pantry.
When you have excess harvest, you can box it up and drop it off. The whole thing will take maybe an hour out of your day, but have a pretty cool impact on your community {shall we all hold hands and sing?}.
Even if I didn’t plant an entire row dedicated to donation, there comes a time in every gardener’s life when they can’t see, eat, shred, freeze another zucchini. They comb the streets looking to dump them off on friends and neighbors, and for awhile, the friends are grateful. Then, one day, they stop answering their door, because they too can’t see, eat, shred, or freeze another zucchini. That’s when it’s time to box them up, and send them off where they will get the appreciation they deserve.
If my relationship with Mr. Produce Guy taught me anything, it’s that there is PLENTY of food to go around, if you know how to get it where it needs to go. So, go check out Ample Harvest, and make sure to leave a comment of what you donated {if you decide to do it}.
~Mavis
Beks says
I love this idea. I would gladly give of my harvest, if I could. And planting an additional row is brilliant. 🙂
Jenn says
Mavis, you have inspired me! Next year I am going to plant a row for the hungry, or maybe a bed? I don’t know but what a great idea!
Lisa Millar says
Its a great idea. We used to have a food bank in the area that would take excess harvest and distribute it.
Lack of funding saw it shut down.
I will have to do some research to see if any other such scheme exists locally.
In the meantime, I know I can drop veges and fruit off to my Aunts church on Sunday and the minister sees it distributed where it needs to go.
I love the idea of planting a special row..
Jaime says
Great idea! Thanks Mavis for making it really easy to check out with the AMPLE HARVEST link. I found I have a spot only 3 miles from me where I can donate. It took 2 minutes to put in my zip code and find it. I actually laughed out loud, yes, lol’d, with your comments on zucchini. My summer garden has been producing for over a month already and I have gotten 2 HUGE zucchini with another on the way. I now wonder why I have a second zucchini planted! Here in San Diego, we’ve got a long season, so I know that’s going to be a lot of zucchini!! Thanks for giving me a way to give back!
Michelle says
This is so great!! And…I cannot believe the amount of food you grow!!!
Amy says
What a great idea, and I LOVE your donation row concept!
Jen Y says
I love this. The food bank I worked at loved getting fresh produce & the clients were very happy to get it as well.
Another idea is seniors. Some seniors aren’t able to grow gardens anymore & would love to have access to fresh produce.