Food banks turn to gleaning in lean times

[phantom power]

As grocery prices continue to rise and food donations decline, a growing number of food banks across the USA are turning to local farms for produce that otherwise might go to waste.

The process, known as gleaning, involves collecting leftovers after crops have been harvested. While gleaning has long been part of some food bank collections, the current economic downturn has brought renewed emphasis to the practice.

...The Society of St. Andrew reports overall food donations have declined from 46 million pounds in 2001 to just over 20 million pounds in 2007.

Breitinger says that market conditions, the growing use of corn in the production of ethanol, the rising price of gas, along with climate problems like drought and floods, are all partly to blame for the drop in donations.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2008-07-21-farmfood_N.htm

[blueoak]

1. Ca doesn't allow 2nd quality produce to be given to food banks

All 2nd grade produce is thrown out, mainly blemishes.This must stop.

[XemaSab]

2. Why do I get the feeling that that law was signed into place

right around 1929? x(