Gleaning – the act of collecting leftover crops from farmers’ fields
Last week, Tiffany Thompson, manager of the UK Organic CSA, had greens ready to harvest. They were ready too early, but could be cut now to let regrow in time for the CSA Thanksgiving basket. Tiffany does a great job keeping track and not letting their produce go to waste – she knows to call Faith Feeds when there is excess.
A lot of hard work goes into planting, growing, weeding, maintaining, irrigating and harvesting the produce for our CSA, it is very disappointing to see part of the harvest rot, said Tiffany. The food should be on someone’s plate, on someone’s table. Faith Feeds’ volunteers come pick it up, making it very easy. It makes us feel good to know it goes to nourish people’s bodies and well-being.
This is where Faith Feeds steps in.
It was not the bright sunny day often experienced while orchard gleaning, this day was 45 degrees, windy and cloudy, but produce is still growing. Six volunteers, organized by Niko, a Lexmark employee, gathered boxes, put on their warm gloves and jackets and headed out to UK Horticulture and Research Farm last Monday afternoon. I asked Niko why he does it.
What could be more fun than spending an afternoon outdoors, away from your desk, in the crisp fall air? Knowing that you helped harvest food for the needy that might otherwise go to waste is personally rewarding. Faith Feeds is a great volunteering opportunity; you get some exercise, you bond with friends and coworkers, you learn about local agriculture, and you help a great cause.
Niko, Bob, Eric, Rachel, Julie, and Megan met Jennifer, from Faith Feeds, at the farm. In about 2 hours, they harvested four 300-ft rows of arugula, and mustard, mixed and turnip greens – about 38 copy paper boxes full –464 pounds. A few boxes were dropped for distribution by our Ohio Street Neighborhood Ambassador and the rest were delivered to God’s Pantry for cool storage and distribution.
This delivery brought donations through God’s Panty to almost 18,000 pounds this year; bringing this years total to over 58,000 pounds gleaned or picked up by 150 volunteers in more than 240 outings and delivered to almost 30 hunger programs or impoverished neighborhoods.
This is Faith Feeds | GleanKY
Lexmark has a great benefit. It allows employees 3 days a year to do charitable volunteer work to help out their community – and along with the company’s United Way Campaign in October, they add an extra day. We have tremendous support from several Lexmark employees who organize their co-workers into gleaning teams. We extend a great THANK YOU to Julie Mitchell, Niko Murrell, Cheryl Baran, Billy Menk, and Sarah Stykes.
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