Share The Harvest Collections Begin Saturday

If you have extra produce that needs a good home (or a good mouth, we should say) then consider donating it to Philabundance’s Share the Harvest program.

Philabundance, the region’s largest hunger relief organization, will begin collecting for Share the Harvest on July 9.  Share the Harvest encourages home gardeners to grow extra vegetables or collect any surplus vegetables from their harvest and donate to Philabundance to fight hunger in the Delaware Valley.

From July 9 through Sept. 24, Philabundance will accept produce donations on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 11 locations throughout the Delaware Valley, including two in the Newtown area.

The local Share the Harvest drop off sites are: Carousel Gardens, 591 Durham Rd., and Seasons Garden Center, 1069 River Rd., Washington Crossing.

Now, more than ever, Philabundance says it needs support.

According to the organization, rising food and gas prices have compounded to drive up the cost of produce and decrease the amount donated to the organization by suppliers. Produce donations in 2010 were down by 7 percent compared to 2009 donations, the organization said.

“As a result, Philabundance must substitute with more dry goods, of which donations are also down, adding to the challenge of meeting the increased demand for food aid in the region,” the organization said in a statement.

According to a USDA report released in late 2010, the tough economy left more than 50 million Americans struggling to feed their families.

Philabundance said it hopes that the grow-your-own movement will inspire gardeners to help fight hunger and increase the access for those in need of fresh produce, as it is the first thing cut from the grocery list when money is tight.

Last year, gardeners donated 7,600 pounds of produce through the Share the Harvest program, which began in 1993. This year, Philabundance has a goal of collecting 10,000 pounds of produce.

In addition to the two Share the Harvest drop-off sites in the Newtown area, there are several others in the Delaware Valley. For a full list or more information, visit www.philabundance.org.

Philabundance provides services to nearly 500 member agencies in nine counties, including Bucks. In total, those organizations serve approximately 65,000 people per week at an aggregate cost of 50 cents per meal. According to the organization, there are more than 900,000 people in the Delaware Valley who are at risk for chronic hunger and malnutrition. In 2010, Philabundance distributed 21 million pounds of food.