The bounty of the Okanogan summer is part of our daily cycle at the food bank. The diversity of produce inside our walk-in cooler is truly a blessing. From local organic peppers to box-store donated corn there is plenty of nutrition available to those in need in our community. Access to seasonally fresh produce should be a basic right to everyone regardless of income, location, transportation & employment. The Okanogan food bank provides this access. This is made possible through the goodwill of our donors, the commitment of our devoted volunteers, the hard work of Community Action's Food & Nutrition Department staff, AmeriCorps VISTA & Inter-mountain volunteers.At the peak of late summer harvest, our gleaning efforts, which include commercial orchard gleans, home garden produce, farmers market donations, local business excess and our on-site demonstration garden have provided a wide-range of fruits and vegetables. So far this week we have harvested the following:
Nectarines, Melons, Tomatoes, Green Beans, Herbs, Kale, Chard, Collard Greens, Peppers, Peaches, Zuchinni, Yellow Crookneck Squash, Red Plums, Pears & Apples
Our total gleaned produce for 2011 is currently at 14,335 pounds.
We have had a wide-array of produce donors in 2011. We have had 19 donors.
Our volunteers have logged 147 hours since August 1st; 220 from May 1st through July. Total volunteer hours to Food For All's diverse programs for the year: 396 hours.
As the last days of summer slip away into the Fall we can reflect on our efforts from this season and turn, turn turn to the harvest of the next. To everyone who has played a part in our summer success THANK YOU and enjoy the bounty!
