Gleaning Log: November 4, 2013

A Diverse Bounty Gleaned

Hello Gleaners!

It’s been a while since my last update, which brings to attention how busy we have been out in the fields!  Since my last Gleaning Log entry (October 18), we have gone on 15 gleaning trips! We averaged about 850 pounds per trip during that time.

If you have paid attention to our Facebook page or our Gleaning Trip Alert e-mails, you will have noticed that we have been gleaning a variety of different items during the past few weeks: apples (of course!), eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, kale, chard, bok choy, etc. This can be attributed to a few different factors. One reason is that a lot of farmers’ CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares and farm stand seasons are coming to a close, so they are able to donate more simply because they do not have as many markets in which to sell. Combined with this lessened demand, a heavy frost near the end of October caused a lot of farmers’ (as well as us gleaners) to scramble so as not to let certain summer crops go to waste, such as peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, and chard. All of these vegetables will not survive a hard frost, as the fruits of the plant are no longer able to draw water from their roots in the frozen ground.

Looking forward, it will continue to be a bit hectic up until Thanksgiving, as colder temperatures will also affect apples and certain root vegetables.  However, we still hope to be going on at least 3-4 trips per week until Thanksgiving. And thanks to Miriam Stason, last year’s Gleaning Coordinator, we will definitely be able to reach that goal! She has signed on to do Sunday trips through November, which has been a great help to both the organization and me.

We are hoping to glean 60,000 pounds by the end of this season. So far, we have gleaned 47,000. With mostly heavy items still out in the fields and Miriam’s and the volunteers’ help, I think we can reach that goal! What do you say, gleaners, are you up to the challenge?!?!

To the Harvest!

Matt Crawford
Gleaning Coordinator
coordinator@bostonareagleaners.org

For this week’s music: tune in below to the Rolling Stones “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” – Can’t you hear Father Winter knocking?

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