Too many zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, oh my! No worries, donate!

Several tools exist to help gardeners find food pantries in their area that may accept fresh produce donations.

• Ample Harvest is a nationwide non-profit that uses technology to educate and enable the estimated 61 million Americans who grow food in home and community gardens to easily donate their surplus harvest to one of 8,342 registered local food pantries spread across all 50 states. On the website, users can search for food pantries in their area.
• Through the Greater Lansing Food Bank’s Grow and Give project, gardeners are encouraged to grow extra vegetables to share with local food pantries and community kitchens. Participating food pantries are listed on the organization’s website.
• The Manistee Community Kitchen participates through its Plant a Row. Help Fight Hunger program.
• Keep Growing Detroit actively works to create connections between urban growers with extra produce and emergency food providers in need of fresh food.

Carlisle notes it’s important to follow some general guidelines when planning to donate fresh produce to a food pantry:

• Check with a food pantry first to make sure they can accept produce and can use the amount that you have available.
• Food must be handled safely, and no inedible or unsafe food (moldy, spoiled, or signs of pests) should be donated.
• Any inedible food should be composted.
• The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act protects food donors, as long as the food is donated in good faith that it is safe to eat.

Krista Burgett, senior manager of food partnerships at Community Action House, a food access organization in Holland, Mich., hears directly from people this time of year as harvests become available. “It’s a joy to interact with neighbors who bring in produce from their home gardens to share with others. I know from experience how a garden can go from producing a single tomato to dozens more than one family could ever use or preserve. I love fielding calls from neighbors eager to drop off their bountiful tomatoes, zucchini, or even unique items. This year we received fresh cut dill weed for the first time. The best part is we can turn around and send that produce home with guests the very same day. It’s a full circle moment of abundance and community connection.”

Check out the resources below from MSU’s Extension office, which provides detailed guidance on fresh produce donations, and EGLE’s composting webpage, if donating excess food isn’t an option.

Michigan Fresh: Fresh Produce Donation Guidelines for Gardeners

Home gardeners can donate produce to food pantries