Colts Neck Orchard Needs Volunteers To Help Collect Leftover Produce For Donation

COLTS NECK, NJ-- Ever wondered what happens to the food that fall to the ground when you go to pick-your-own orchards? Usually, the produce is left to spoil, before being either thrown away or composted. The New Jersey Agricultural Society wants to stop the waste, and is holding a "gleaning" day at Eastmont Orchards in Colts Neck.

Gleaning is the process of collecting the produce left behind after commercial collection, either by machines or, in the case of pick-your-own farms, local families.

Once volunteers collect the leftover fresh food, Farmers Against Hunger, the NJAS's charitable wing, makes weekly deliveries to distribution sites across the state. From there, church groups pick up and distribute the fresh produce to those in need.

A volunteer gleaning session will be held at Eastmont Farms Oct. 7 from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM, collecting squash. All those who want to volunteer must pre-register and fill out a waiver. Those with serious bee allergies are asked not to volunteer at the farms.

Image via DC Central Kitchen, flickr.