Harvest Sacramento
Growing an Edible City
Harvest Sacramento Edible City Initiative, a project of Soil Born Farms, is a collaborative effort of area residents, non-profits, community groups and businesses that harvest surplus fruit and vegetables from backyards and small orchards and donate it to local food assistance agencies.
Harvest Sacramento germinated from a seed planted by two area residents, Mary McGrath and Robin Aurelius, who were pained by the sight of rotting oranges piled in the streets of East Sacramento every spring. A grassroots campaign to harvest oranges in the McKinley Park area engaged over 30 volunteers and donated about 3,000 pounds of fresh citrus to the Sacramento Food Bank in early 2009. From this success it was apparent that with more organization and effective outreach, substantial contributions of fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the entire year could greatly enhance the offerings of local food assistance agencies. With the continued support of the founding and new volunteers, Soil Born Farms has taken a lead role in tending this young seedling that we know as Harvest Sacramento. The true strength, longevity and effectiveness of this project is directly proportional to the level of direct community involvement. Please support us by volunteering a few hours of your time. Volunteer opportunities with Harvest Sacramento >>
Harvest Sacramento provides opportunities for volunteers to engage in direct and tangible service to their community, and we believe in its benefits:
- Work and gather with new people
- Celebrate the bounty of harvests through community meals and potlucks
- Provide the opportunity for those in need to support themselves and gather some of their own food
- Teach residents how to grow, cook and preserve their own food
Donate Fruit From Your Tree >>
Neighborhood Harvest Groups
Our network of neighborhood harvest groups is always looking for more community volunteers to help find new trees, organize the harvests, and of course, to pick the fruit! Want to get involved in your neighborhood?
For more information or to get involved with Harvest Sacramento’s programs, contact the Harvest Sacramento Team.
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