Fight Urban Hunger From Your Backyard the Food Forward Way!

On a pleasantly warm afternoon in early June, I bounce straight from work, head east on the 134, and wind up in San Gabriel just in time for a sunset pick—a fruit pick, that is. As a Food Forward pick leader, I have been invited to come and pick ripe, yellow grapefruit from an abundant 50-year-old tree. The homeowners tell me that when they first moved in back in the ‘60s, it was just a little sprout; now, it’s crankin’ out fruit like a factory. Meeting me at the property is a group of gung-ho junior high school kids who have signed up to help. Within an hour and a half, we’ve picked over 400 lbs of fruit off only one tree! This fruit would have otherwise split open and slowly decayed on the grass. But instead, these 400 lbs will be dropped off within hours to a local food bank that reaches out to the homeless and needy.

This is the work of Food Forward—the largest non-profit fruit gleaning organization in Southern California. Food Forward has been rescuing fresh local produce that would otherwise go to waste since 2009, donating 100% of the harvested food to people in need. When a fruit donor in the neighborhood has fruit to spare, Food Forward invites volunteers from the local community to pick it, provides the volunteers with all the necessary equipment, and then arranges for a local food pantry or receiving agency to collect the fruit donation.

As Los Angeles is home to some of the nicest weather anywhere in the world, it also has some of the best growing conditions. Because of this, fruit grows wildly on healthy trees, often producing more than the owner can eat by him or herself. The abundance on the branches hangs in stark contrast to LA’s serious problem of food insecurity. One in six adults, and one in four children in LA County are food insecure, meaning they don’t get enough nutritious food to lead a healthy and active lifestyle[1]. Food Forward fills a vital role in the community by connecting those with abundance to those who need it the most.

Fruit picker Ian Wagner volunteers to impact local efforts to eliminate hunger. “What’s rewarding for me is to watch and meet the people who are not only growing the food, but sometimes who are receiving the food,” Wagner said. “Why I do this is to be one person in that chain of giving people access to clean and healthy food.”

In the 5 years since their establishment, Food Forward has recovered over 10 million lbs. of fruit, donated 40 million servings, engaged 8 thousand volunteers, and picked at over a thousand properties. In order to continue growing, Food Forward is always looking for more properties and volunteers. They are new to the Claremont/ La Verne areas so any new property and volunteer goes a long way. Anyone with a fruit tree interested in donating, visit: https://foodforward.org/get-involved/property-form/ and those interested in volunteering can email Jack@foodforward.org or check out foodforward.org/events to find a pick happening in their neighborhood. The picks are fun, highly rewarding, and delicious, so grab a friend or two and come out for a pick! Anyone who has been on previous picks with Food Forward or wants to become involved can also sign up for the August 1st pick leader information session on the events page. Furthermore, if you or someone you know has a fruit tree to share, please let us know at foodforward.org.

At Food Forward, everyone wins. Fruit donors see healthier trees, less waste, and get a charitable donation tax break; volunteers have fun in the sun and are engaged with their community; and those in need receive fresh, healthy produce.

You stay juicy, Claremont and La Verne

[1] http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-studies/map-the-meal-...