The official start of Ample Harvest season has arrived!
Ample Harvest has gardening operations at both Apple Acres and Wallisch Homestead. The main purpose of Ample Harvest is to rescue produce for gardeners that grow too much. Don’t let it go to waste in the garden, collect it and donate it to the local food pantry. The pantry client benefits with nutritious food like the vegetables and herbs you are already growing in abundance!
We supplement the donations of excess produce from local gardeners with a dedicated plot at each garden. These plots are tended to by volunteers, and the entirety of their harvest goes directly to local pantries. The plants for the dedicated plots were donated this year by Barbara at Midsummer Farm with some tomato plants donated from Wendy.
Community gardeners are encouraged to share their bounty as the garden starts to produce more than they can consume. We harvest your excess using the Ample Harvest Flag System, which is posted near the gate in both gardens.
We have 2 Ample Harvest schedules to ensure fresh delivery to pantry clients:
At Apple Acres on Saturdays, 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
Ample Harvest 2023 is off to a fruitful start with a recent delivery to St. Joseph’s Church. Last year we donated 300 pounds of fresh produce, and this year we are on a path to greatly increase our impact!
Suggestions for improving our operation are always welcome, and we welcome 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.