Donating Food Harvest to Feed the Hungry

Where to Take a Bumper Crop of Vegetables

Food gardeners have an annual problem with what to do with a bumper crop of fruit and vegetables from a successful end-of-summer harvest, particularly after doling out extra zucchini, squash or yet another paper bag filled with cucumbers to family, friends or neighbors who might be loath to take more.

Across the United States and Canada, many communities have food banks or soup kitchens that can make good use of fresh food to feed hungry people in need. But where does one find a location willing to take the extra fresh fruit and vegetables gardeners offer from their backyard garden? Organizations like Ample Harvest, Plant a Row for the Hungry and local community gardens are good non-profit places to start.

Find Food Banks with Ample Harvest Web Site

Ample Harvest was started to help edible plant gardeners find local food banks or pantries needing fresh produce to feed hungry people. This grassroots organization charges no fee to register or use the Web site.

The interactive map of Canada and the United States allows backyard gardeners to type in a zip code or location and find places willing to take fresh food. Ample Harvest includes news, information and links about fighting hunger in North America.

Plant a Row for the Hungry

Cooperative extension services and master gardener groups team up with Plant a Row for the Hungry to coordinate linking vegetable gardeners with locations prepared to distribute fresh produce. Plant a Row for the Hungry also partners with organizations like Feeding America, formerly known as Second Harvest and Keep America Beautiful

Plant a Row for the Hungry is a public service program begun by the Garden Writers Association and its foundation. Beyond wondering what to do with extra freshly grown food, Plant a Row for the Hungry encourages gardeners to grow just one more row of vegetables, creating a larger backyard harvest able to help feed more hungry people in the local communities.

Community Gardens Donating Food

Many community gardening systems link people who love to grow edible plants with those who need fresh food to feed the hungry. Gardeners are asked to donate a percentage of their harvest to a local food bank or soup kitchen in the neighborhood. Public gardens previously thought to grow only ornamental plants have become involved in community gardening, as well.

It is clear that gardeners who are willing to share their bumper crop of fresh food will make a difference to feeding the hungry in local communities. There are grassroots resources out there willing to help bridge the connection.