Nonprofits Route Extra Produce to Hungry Californians

By Lauren Katims Feb. 5, 2021

GRANITE BAY, CALIF.—Throughout the year, Duskie Estes and her team of 300 volunteers spread out around Sonoma County, California, venturing into backyard gardens and small farms, gleaning seasonal produce after harvests and unwanted fruit from trees and bushes.

What may seem like an insignificant gesture – picking leftovers – added up: The team, a nonprofit called Farm to Pantry, last year harvested 230,000 pounds of produce from 250 participating property owners and donated it to 85 local food distribution sites, where people who can't afford their next meal can pick up the produce for free.

"Every little bit does create big change for a family, for a person, for an environment," says Estes, executive chef and Food Network star, who took over as Farm to Pantry's executive director in April and has long-term plans to expand statewide.

To read the complete article, please visit U.S. News & World Report