Neighbors Share the Bounty of their Backyards

Adrienne Waterman and Jay DeYoung got the idea for Food Rescue after asking their neighbors if they could pick oranges from their trees. When their neighbors complied it got them talking about how much fruit there is in their communities, most of it going to waste and how confident they were that other neighbors would be willing to share their bounty. Since starting Food Rescue in August 2011, it’s estimated they have harvested and distributed more than 11,000 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables. Their motto is “Sharing the Bounty of Our Backyards,” which is what they do and they do it all with a handful of volunteers and basic gardening and picking tools. Food Rescue schedules harvests just about every week. Those with trees ripe with fruit can schedule a harvest and those who want to pick, can volunteer. Earlier this year they started a project called C.R.O.P. Share (Community Raised Organic Produce), which teaches people to grow and share their own organic produce. “Food Rescue is proud to promote the generosity of neighbors feeding neighbors.” If you would like to learn more about what they do, get some ideas of your own, donate or volunteer, visit their website, food-rescue.com. Do you know someone who took an idea and turned it into a project that benefits the community? Nominate them for next week’s AmericanTowns Hero.