How Utahans Are Keeping Falling Fruit From Going To Waste
There are several programs in Utah that are part of a nationwide effort to not let the unpicked fruit found in small towns and big cities go to waste. These programs run from services where volunteers pick your fruit to donate to food banks, to local food banks that accept fallen fruit. Waste Less Solutions in Salt Lake City has its GardenShare program, where Utahns can donate their excess crops. The Green Urban Lunch Box has the FruitShare program where tree owners pay for harvesting services. The fruit is then divided between the owner, the volunteers who pick the tree, community-supported agriculture boxes and other local groups. Recipients of the donations include senior centers, local shelters, food banks and community programs.
Weber County has a free program called “gleaning” where you register your tree and a group of volunteers will come out when it is time to harvest, pick the fruit and then distribute it to food banks and community programs.
Locally, we have the CCFP Heber food pantry where donations are accepted. While an organized program to pick fruit is not currently available in Wasatch County, the idea is growing and hopefully we will have such a program soon. Wouldn’t that be a great project for a local youth group!
