For Farmers and Growers
Thurston County Food Bank Gleaning, a program of the Thurston County Food Bank (TCFB), gleans excess produce to provide fresh, nutritious food for distribution to food insecure individuals around the county. Gleaned produce is distributed at TCFB's main food pantry locations as well as through our summer lunch, satellite, mobile, pop-up, home delivery, and partner programs.
We glean:
- Quality produce that is no longer commercially viable
- Weather damaged crops
- Produce from bypassed fields
- Non-machine gleanable crops
- Pollinator trees
- Secondary growth
Additionally, Thurston County Food Bank Gleaning will pick up crops which have already been gleaned. Bins to pick into may be available upon request.
From small/medium scale farms to your backyard fruit trees, Thurston County Food Bank Gleaning will try to accommodate your proposed donation! (We do not have the capacity to prune or maintain fruit trees.)
Protection:We properly train, supervise and hold liability coverage for all volunteers who glean with us. We are happy to provide a certificate of coverage if necessary.
Federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act - In 1996, President Clinton signed this act to encourage donation of food and grocery products to non-profit organizations for distribution to individuals in need. This law:
- Protects you from liability when you donate to a non-profit organization;
- Protects you from civil and criminal liability should the product donated in good faith later cause harm to the recipient;
- Standardizes donor liability exposure. You or your legal counsel do not need to investigate liability laws in 50 states; and
- Sets a floor of "gross negligence" or intentional misconduct for persons who donate grocery products. According to the new law, gross negligence is defined as "voluntary and conscious conduct by a person with knowledge (at the time of conduct) that the conduct is likely to be harmful to the health or well-being of another person."
- Protects you from liability when you donate to a non-profit organization;
- Protects you from civil and criminal liability should the product donated in good faith later cause harm to the recipient;
- Standardizes donor liability exposure. You or your legal counsel do not need to investigate liability laws in 50 states, and sets a floor of "gross negligence" or intentional misconduct for persons who donate grocery products. According to the new law, gross negligence is defined as "voluntary and conscious conduct by a person with knowledge (at the time of conduct) that the conduct is likely to be harmful to the health or well-being of another person."
For more information: Feeding America.
