Thanks to the thoughtful and generous participation of the West Milford Community gardeners, we have tallied 533 pounds of rescued produce this season that was harvested and delivered fresh to our customers at Holy Faith Lutheran, Queen of Peace, St. Joseph’s, SOS, West Milford Presbyterian.
The month of September was a treasure trove of the full range of vegetables: Many cucumbers, green beans, peppers and tomatoes, various squashes, fresh fragrant basil, hearty kale & chard. For an extra splash of sweet, we were able to add a delightful mix of strawberry and raspberry as well.
We’d like to offer up a big thanks to community gardeners at Apple Acres and Wallisch for sharing their produce. This has been a banner year for West Milford Ample Harvest with more than 45% of community gardeners growing and sharing. We tended two plots dedicated to growing donation-only produce for our local pantries.
Thanks to volunteers Anne, Deb, Courtney, Jim, Steven, Cindy, Katie for helping with the weekly harvests.
We encourage all backyard gardeners to consider sharing your bounties with those in need. For the remainder of the West Milford Farmers Market season, you can drop off your donation on Wednesday’s between 4 and 6 p.m. Your local food pantries will benefit greatly through serving their clients with fresh, nutritious produce.
More on the West Milford Ample Harvest program
The basis of Ample Harvest is to rescue produce for gardeners that grow too much. Don’t let produce go to waste in the garden—collect it and donate it to the local food pantry. Pantry clients benefit from nutritious food.
We have operations at both Apple Acres and Wallisch Homestead and supplement the process of rescuing produce from member plots with a plot at each garden that is dedicated solely to Ample Harvest donations.
Flags and instructions for the Ample Harvest Flag System are posted near the gate in both gardens. Community gardeners are encouraged to share their bounty as their gardens start to produce.
We have two Ample Harvest schedules to ensure fresh delivery.
At Apple Acres on Saturdays at 8:30 AM, serving the pantries open on Saturday
At Wallisch on Thursdays, 10AM, serving the pantries open during the week
Upcoming Ample Harvest events:
Weed and water (ongoing)
Harvest (weekly at each garden)
Replant for 2nd crops
This has been a year of growth for West Milford Ample Harvest.
We expanded to the Wallisch Organic Community Garden. We had over 45% of gardeners across both community gardens contributing. Our donations of great quality food increased by 40% in weight. We have helped the local food pantries serve the food insecure!
Cathy, Jim and Jessica have joined a team organized by Courtney to actively discuss continuing to build the program. Suggestions for improving our operation are always welcome and we are seeking volunteers to come help plant, tend, harvest and deliver.
For any topics related to the above or the West Milford Ample Harvest program at our community gardens, please reach out to Cathy Bruce at cgb2673@optonline.net or 201-264-3528
