Picking your own fruit is always fun, but picking for those in need is even better! In an effort to continue to reduce wasted food in Montgomery County, the Food Council’s Environmental Impact Working Group partnered with Community Food Rescue on Monday, July 15th, for a blueberry gleaning event. The gleaning took place at the Farm at Home in Poolesville, a family-owned and operated farm that offers the public hands-on opportunities to “pick-your-own” blueberries.
A group of 12 gleaners, including representatives from the Food Council and the Montgomery County Master Gardeners, picked from 9am until 11am, and collected a total of 84 pounds of blueberries by the end of the day. The high bush blueberry plants were full of fruit and it was a fun time for experienced gleaners and newbies alike. The blueberries were donated to Shepherd’s Table in Silver Spring, a local food assistance organization offering fresh meals to food insecure residents. The Food Council was proud to be a co-host of this event, and to support increased food access while reducing food waste in the County.
If you would like to receive information about future gleans – this season or next– or if you would like to deliver food as a Community Food Rescue food runner volunteer, please contact [email protected]. Thank you!
