Gardeners in Butte are being encouraged to share their bounty this week to help honor the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
The service project, initiated by the National Center for Appropriate Technology, is called “Gleaning Gardens for our Community,” to provide food for those who don’t have enough to eat.
Five community organizations are working together to help gather extra food from local gardeners and take it to the Butte Emergency Food Bank to reduce food insecurity.
Kellee Anderson is the MSU Extension Agent for Butte-Silver Bow County.
"I always love harvesting all the vegetables and then seeing how much fresh produce we really do produce in Butte. And how huge the hearts are of our community citizens too."
Throughout the week, growers can bring produce directly to the food bank. Staff and volunteers are also on call to help pick and deliver vegetables.
On Sunday, they’ll descend on the food bank to help distribute the donations, which last year topped out at 500 pounds.
"A lot of it remains whole, so we wash it and get all the grubbies off from the garden, and then some of it, we’ll process and give it to participants so it’s a little more easy to handle."
While Butte gardeners are encouraged to participate in this project, the food bank welcomes fruit and vegetable donations all season long. Even kohlrabi won’t go to waste.
