Here is how to identify sources of food waste in your community and turn them into a food recovery program.
Types of produce to consider
Different programs recover different types of produce. Here is a quick overview of what each source typically yields:
Backyard Harvest Citrus is the most common, but fruit trees also yield persimmons, pomegranates, avocados, apples, garden vegetables, and more. It is rare that partner hunger relief organizations cannot distribute a type of produce, but having a plan for less common varieties is helpful.
Farmers Market Recovery Just about any fruit or vegetable found at a farmers market. Farmers tend to donate less shelf-stable items, so programs often receive more greens, tomatoes, citrus, zucchini, summer squash, and stone fruit than heartier items such as onions, potatoes, and winter squash.
Wholesale Recovery Most fruit and vegetable varieties are accepted, though quality standards should be established and maintained. Not all donations will meet the bar, and it is okay to decline produce that does not.
Why produce donors give
Each program type offers a real benefit to donors. Fruit tree owners avoid dealing with excess fruit and yard waste. Farmers avoid hauling goods back to the farm and taking on waste costs. Wholesalers avoid waste disposal costs. For all three, in-kind donation receipts based on weight are a meaningful added incentive.
Many fruit tree owners share that donating their fruit is a small, easy action that provides big benefits to their community. Farmers who put tremendous work into growing their produce often find it deeply meaningful to know it is feeding someone experiencing food insecurity.
Questions to consider
- Where is food going to waste in your community?
- Are there fruit trees, farms, farmers markets, community gardens, restaurants, bakeries, or grocery stores where you notice food waste? Start by addressing one source of food waste and master that first. Each type of food recovery has different needs in terms of equipment, people, recovery schedule, and relationships.
- Are there organizations, schools, businesses, or individuals already doing food recovery in your community? Many food banks have food recovery programs. If so, getting involved with their work first before starting your own initiative is recommended.
- Who will be giving you the food, and what incentives can you offer them?
- What equipment will you need? See our equipment information for ideas.
- How will you ensure the quality of the food you are recovering, and what standards will you follow? Recovering produce that ultimately ends up discarded creates a burden on recipients. For produce, learning what ripe looks, feels, smells, and tastes like for the varieties involved is essential.
- How long will it take to collect and distribute food to individuals or hunger relief organizations?
- What are the distances and transportation needs involved?
- What are the food handling and storage requirements such as permits and certificates?
Tips
Before getting started, look into the legal doctrine surrounding food recovery, including the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, and consider whether food safety certification makes sense for your program.
For fruit harvesting specifically, research local pests and diseases and consult with an arborist or landscaping professional if needed. If you plan to harvest citrus, check with local agriculture authorities about Citrus Greening Disease (also called Huanglongbing) and any precautions required in your area.
Getting the word out
Word of mouth and formal relationships are both essential for finding and securing donations, and showing up consistently is what builds trust over time. People with fruit trees often hear about programs through neighbors, friends, social media, or local community postings. At farmers markets, start by establishing a relationship with the market manager and gaining permission to glean. At wholesale markets, building relationships with vendors who know to reach out when they have recovered produce available is how consistent donations are secured.