Hello Clallam Gleaners,

We are looking forward to continuing the tradition of service and food rescue that gleaners have forged in Clallam County since 2008. Gleaning activities diverted nearly 30,000 pounds in 2014—and that is just what was measured at the Port Angeles and Sequim Food Banks! These efforts have a big impact: getting fresh, local produce to food bank clients, recouping tax credits for farms and other organizations, and reducing food waste.

Food waste accounts for almost 20% of our waste stream—we see it in our kitchens, restaurants, schools, yards. As a gleaner, I’m sure you agree that food is too good to waste!  WSU Extension looks forward to expanding efforts to help divert food waste towards beneficial use—feeding people, animals, and soils. Your volunteer efforts are the key to enacting these efforts. So, before the season heats up, I’d like to invite you all to gather together Monday, May 11^th at 2 pm in the Commissioners Meeting Room at the Clallam County Courthouse. Let’s have treats, pass out gleaning advertising materials for distribution, and get your input on what our program is doing well, what we can improve and where we’d like to see Clallam gleaning and food rescue efforts go this year.

Brussel rabe asap!  Help Johnston Farms clear their flowering brussels—get delicious rabe to stir fry with garlic and butter. Contact Christie Johnston at home 452-1936 or by cell 477-1256 to work out a time to join the Johnston Farms harvest.

Thanks for all you do.