by Amy Kalkstein
Project Pick is off to a great start for 2024, despite another rainy winter making it challenging to schedule picks. With a great group of volunteers stepping up whenever there were breaks in the rain for last minute picks not only on weekends, but also mid-week, we have picked over 4,000 lbs of citrus in just 4 months.
While pick requests have slowed in recent weeks, I am still seeing a lot of lemons and oranges as I make my way around the island; if you have extra citrus and would like to donate there are 2 ways we can help you share your abundance.
1. You Pick & We Deliver
You can harvest your tree yourself and then email info@alamedabackyardgrowers.org or leave a voicemail at 510-239-PICK (7425) and we will pick up your fruit and deliver it to the Alameda Food Bank for you. We generally deliver on Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning, so please consider picking on Sunday, Tuesdays or Thursdays. Remember to keep the harvested fruit in a shady location that is also accessible to the ABG volunteer. Finally, please place the fruit in containers that you do not want returned to you (double paper grocery bags, cardboard boxes that one person can lift, or strong plastic bags). For helpful guidelines on picking fruit, please click here.
2. We Pick & Deliver
We can harvest your tree for you and deliver the excess fruit to the Alameda Food Bank on your behalf. Please list information about your tree by filling out a brief form. You can also leave a message at 510-239-PICK with your name, location and best way to contact you. Volunteers are happy to pick some of the fruit for you as well if you are unable to harvest it for yourself.
Teale Harden, Alameda Food Bank (AFB) Executive Director, recently shared via Instagram that so far in 2024 AFB has set 3 single day records for the number of families that have come in to shop. On one day in February, AFB had their overall record of 645 families served, and they continue to average about 1,200 families per week, plus continue to have new families registering to have access to their services. AFB prioritizes clients having access to fresh produce and Project Pick is an integral part of that mission.
If you would like to volunteer with Project Pick, check for upcoming picks (plus guidelines) or email info@alamedabackyardgrowers.org with any questions.