George Shaw provided this overview about gleaning and how it provides food in Wake Forest and elsewhere. If you need the location and times for food distribution, please scroll through the articles to last week when they were provided.
The Wake Forest community has done a wonderful job donating produce and funds to local pantries and feeding programs during the time of COVID-19. This has been timely as demand has increased by about one-third since March including many who have not been previously needed food. Unemployment which drives demand for food is expected to remain 8 percent or above through 2021; return to pre-March unemployment levels is unlikely to occur for at least five years. That means that the need for food will remain high for a long time.
One of the primary needs for food security is fresh produce which provides healthy fare. Volunteers from our area bagged 40,000 pounds of sweet potatoes on February 29 which were distributed as far away as Greensboro. There is discussion to have a similar event for white potatoes in Rolesville this summer.
Our volunteers also glean up to 20,000 pounds of berries, corn, squash, cucumbers, melons, sweet potatoes and green, leafy crops each year. The gleaning program is managed by the Society of St. Andrew (SoSA). Events are held on farms ranging from Wake County to Louisburg, Durham County and Norlina. Farmers receive tax credits for donating the produce.
Several of the farms supporting this program are increasing the amount that will be donated to charity so this is a tremendous opportunity to volunteer. Gleaning for 2020 crops will run from late June until at least December.
How does gleaning work? About half of the events occur on weekdays; the balance on Saturdays. We receive notification 2-3 days before the field is ready to be harvested. We then find out how much produce each of the eight pantries and various feeding programs can distribute quickly so that clients receive fresh produce. Many of the farms are within a 40-minute drive from our area. Work in the field usually starts about 9 a.m. or earlier; it generally takes an hour or two to pick the crops. Multiple cars deliver the produce to pantries and distribution programs.
How can you volunteer? Volunteers need to register with SoSA. If you signed up for the potato bagging event last February, you are already registered for gleaning. This is a great opportunity for families to work together to help others. It is also a fantastic means for kids to learn about where food comes from and how it is harvested. We also need drivers to deliver the produce.
How does social distancing work for gleaning? Gleaning is currently limited to 25 volunteers; this cap may be increased when North Carolina moves to Phase 3 of reopening. Masks are required; gloves are recommended. We work in separate rows that keep us at least six feet apart. You should also bring garden tools if you have them.
How do I sign up? You can register with SoSA at: endhunger.org/north-carolina
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