Since Food for Others is located in a highly urbanized/ suburbanized area, most commercial farms are at least a two-hour drive away. However, just 40 minutes away are a number of “pick-your-own” orchards, marketed to city folks who wish to spend a quiet day picking…
The benefits of community gardens are endless. They provide fresh food to populations that are often underserved, offer a space to gather, connect and build relationships, and beautify neighborhoods. A community garden created in conjunction with a food bank can be both a provider of…
In Fairfax County, farmers markets are a gold mine for gleaning. Most of the farmers who sell at these markets are from more rural areas of the region and they bring truckloads of product with them since they know they can sell it at a…
Food pantry gleaning programs are mutually beneficial for food pantries and farmers. Gleaning allows for unmarketable produce to be given to someone who needs it instead of going into a landfill. Like most people, many farmers do not know that some food pantries will ecstatically…
Like any other in-kind or monetary donors, the farmers giving the food bank fresh produce need to feel that the (literal) fruits of their labor are appreciated. Just because a farmer donates once to a food pantry does not necessarily mean they will donate again….
A great way to recruit volunteers while at an established non-profit is to pull from the organization’s networks. Volunteers that are already dedicated to the organization may be looking for additional ways to help. These are people that are reliable and vetted over months/ years…