One of TCFB’s big farm donors was mainly supplying culled produce, or produce that had already been harvested. This produce can be anything that was sorted out as un-sellable, such as blemished or misshapen vegetables, produce that was not sold at the market, CSA boxes…
Once you have established a gleaning program and have fresh vegetables and fruits coming through your food bank doors, it is important to make sure that clients know how to prepare and cook with the produce. When you develop a great gleaning partnership, it is…
The Thurston County Food Bank hopes to one day have a full food bank farming operation, but in the meantime, they have a very successful relationship with a local service club to manage a food bank garden project. The Kiwanis Club of Olympia has garden…
In some communities, especially in rural and residential areas, a major source of produce will fall from trees for a few months out of the year. If you do a good job of advertising your gleaning program, this food can be gathered before it falls…
Tips on starting a new gleaning program. Take a volunteer management class, at least a full day in length, before you start putting your program together. Assess the following: Your organization’s ability to store fresh produce (How much can you bring in and how often?…
The TCFB Gleaners worked closely with 7 small farmers in Thurston County, most of which grow diverse row crops for market or CSA (community supported agriculture). It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the growing season and the crops that these farmers will…
Why is self-care important? Caring for ourselves and making sure our own needs are met ensures our health. It can also set a good example for the people around us to advocate for their health as well. When we are healthy physically and mentally, it’s…
The food bank, while not solely focused on nutrition education, should consider the opportunity to take compassion a step further. One way is to provide access to diverse foods of high nutritional value and the means to prepare them in an appetizing way. If anyone…
Alternative ways farms can donate to food banks with Farm to Community at Harvest Against Hunger. Through the partnerships made between food assistance programs and local farmers, our programs have seen a number of innovative ways that they can work together to increase the amount…
Nutritional Density with Farm to Community at Harvest Against Hunger Nutritional density is a factor that measures how nutritionally rich a food is, using the levels of 14 different vitamins and nutrients. This is a way to effectively measure how “healthy” a food is, “health”…