Gleaning

Despite considerable crop wastage, especially in the fruit industry, Australia has few, if any, food recovery and gleaning programs. In other parts of the world, notably Europe and US, food recovery and gleaning are common practices which date back thousands of years. In those times nothing was wasted. Today, there does not appear to be that many  who include food recovery and gleaning as part of the agricultural system.

Selection of Pumpkins, Squash & Gourds harvested March 2010

Food recovery is the collection of wholesome food for distribution to the poor and hungry. It need not be from the fields, but could be surplus from packing, or distribution or retail outlets. In some instances food recovery applies to the produce that is riper than is appropriate for transport to retail outlets.

In our case it is the surplus we produce over and above our needs and those of our CSA Members. There are a number of local programs where fresh fruit and vegetables are supplied to those in need – and this is where we deliver our surplus. CSA Members can donate their weekly box if they are unable to use it or pick it up – similarly any excess produce will be delivered to these local programs.