2024 Fruit Gleaning Season
We are indebted to the 57 tree owners that allowed us to glean their 82 fruit trees. We couldn't have harvested 11,705 pounds of fruit if not for the help of 298 volunteers that willing shared 400 hours of their time. This delicious and nutritious fruit was shared with 32 food relief organizations. The bruised fruit went to schools to make apple sauce and to our cider making events. Thousands of pounds of damaged fruit went to compost piles and farmers to fed their livestock. These impressive statistics demonstrate the power of community. By coming together, enjoying each others company, making life a little better for others, we are making the changes we want and need. A big hug and thank you to each of you that made 2024 such a successful season.
The Denverite has featured our gleaning efforts over the past three years. Each time one of Kevin Beaty's articles appears we get a big influx of volunteers and tree owners wanting to be a part of this positive project. That additional interest translates into more trees to harvest and more helping hands to make it happen. Thank you, Denverite and Kevin, for making gleaning so popular in our community.
Read Kevin Beaty's recent article...
Gleaning with Grow Local Colorado
By Felicia Brower, GLC volunteer
Volunteer with Grow Local Colorado by attending a gleaning event! We host these opportunities every weekend from early September through October. To sign up for our gleaning email list email us at [email protected].
What is gleaning?
Fruit tree owners know that it can get a bit overwhelming when all of the fruit on a tree ripens. If you don't have a plan for handling the fruit or a way to get it out of the tree, you end up with a sticky, fruit- filled yard. When Grow Local Colorado comes to glean a tree, we knock down all of the ripe fruit, collect it, and share it with organizations in the community who share it with neighbors in need. It prevents the homeowner's yard from becoming a mess and helps close the gap on food waste. A true win-win!
The high-quality fruit is distributed to the community, and we use the fruit with minor blemishes for making sauce and cider. A few schools use the fruit for cooking classes. The more bruised fruits are either composted or given to local pig farmers. Nothing goes to the landfill.
How long has Grow Local Colorado been gleaning?
Back in 2019, we saw a growing need for fresh produce at local food pantries and shelters while also noticing a large amount of fruit on our local trees going to waste. An idea was born, and in 2019 we started gleaning local fruit trees. That first season, we picked 350 pounds of fruit and distributed it to four organizations. When we started delivering our hauls to the food pantries and shelters it was evident that we were on to something. Clients of shelters and food pantries were so thankful for this delicious and healthy fruit.
Every year since then, we've grown in the number of trees to glean, eager volunteers to do it, and grateful organizations that let us know we're making a real difference in the lives of others in our community.
Learn more about gleaning in this Denverite article by Kevin Beatty.
Back in 2019, we saw a growing need for fresh produce at local food pantries and shelters while also noticing a large amount of fruit on our local trees going to waste. An idea was born, and in 2019 we started gleaning local fruit trees. That first season, we picked 350 pounds of fruit and distributed it to four organizations. When we started delivering our hauls to the food pantries and shelters it was evident that we were on to something. Clients of shelters and food pantries were so thankful for this delicious and healthy fruit.
Every year since then, we've grown in the number of trees to glean, eager volunteers to do it, and grateful organizations that let us know we're making a real difference in the lives of others in our community.
Learn more about gleaning in this Denverite article by Kevin Beatty.
How can I get involved?
If you're a homeowner with trees that need to be gleaned or would like to volunteer at harvest time, please email us at [email protected].
You can also follow us on Instagram or Facebook where you'll see upcoming volunteer opportunities, typically shared the week of.
What should I expect?
After you sign up for a gleaning shift, you'll head to the address listed on the volunteer sign up page. Once there, you'll meet up with a Grow Local Colorado lead and other volunteers where you'll get specific instructions about how to glean the trees on the property. The group of volunteers will shake trees, collect fallen fruit, and sort it all for easy donation. The entire process takes about 2-3 hours.
All materials are provided. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring gloves and water if desired. As an added thank you, volunteers will be able to take home some of the fruit at the end of the shift.
What if I have questions?
If you have questions, please reach out to: [email protected]
Thank you to everyone who has ever volunteered, let us glean their trees, or is thinking about volunteering or inviting us to their property. We couldn't do this important work without you!
If you're a homeowner with trees that need to be gleaned or would like to volunteer at harvest time, please email us at [email protected].
You can also follow us on Instagram or Facebook where you'll see upcoming volunteer opportunities, typically shared the week of.
What should I expect?
After you sign up for a gleaning shift, you'll head to the address listed on the volunteer sign up page. Once there, you'll meet up with a Grow Local Colorado lead and other volunteers where you'll get specific instructions about how to glean the trees on the property. The group of volunteers will shake trees, collect fallen fruit, and sort it all for easy donation. The entire process takes about 2-3 hours.
All materials are provided. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring gloves and water if desired. As an added thank you, volunteers will be able to take home some of the fruit at the end of the shift.
What if I have questions?
If you have questions, please reach out to: [email protected]
Thank you to everyone who has ever volunteered, let us glean their trees, or is thinking about volunteering or inviting us to their property. We couldn't do this important work without you!