Our friend John Walker is spearheading an effort to connect food and people. This effort is called the Lexington UrbanGleaning Network. It brings together homeowners, gardeners, volunteers, and food agencies to provide food for the hungry from fruits and vegetables left over after harvest.
The USDA estimates 20% of all food grown in this country is wasted. Urban fruit trees are left unpicked and left to rot on the ground. With all this food wasted annually ALL hungry people in the United States could be fed. The Lexington Urban Gleaning Network addresses these problems of hunger and waste through the ancient biblical practice of gleaning… the gathering of crops left after harvest. This food is then distributed to families in need through God’s Pantry Food Bank and other emergency food agencies.
The network hopes to collect food to feed the growing demand for food in Lexington. By association with the Society of St. Andrew it is hoped we will be able to make a major contribution to the decline of hunger. The network brings together neighbors, groups and agencies willing to volunteer for the gleaning of urban gardens to feed America’s hungry.
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Walk around where you live and see what fruit trees or vegetable gardens are in your neighbor’s yards.
- Ask if they ever have food to give away.
- Tell them about gleaning and the work of the Lexington Urban Gleaning Network.
- Arrange to pick the surplus harvest.
- Deliver to God’s Pantry Food Bank or another emergency food agency.
- Tell friends and neighbors about this opportunity
Feel free to contact John if you’d like more information.
Other good resources: