More than ten Gravel & Shea attorneys, staff and family members donned their boots and gloves for an afternoon of harvesting at the Intervale Community Farm last week. As part of the Vermont Foodbank Gleaning Program, they were tasked with picking kale and collard greens from several long rows of the leafy green vegetables, scheduled to be plowed under the next day.
Gleaning is the process of harvesting and gathering excess or “seconds” produce that would otherwise go to waste, often because of minor visual imperfections or because of a larger crop than a farm was able to sell. The collected produce is then distributed to food shelves and meal sites around the state. Andrea Solazzo, the Gleaning and Community Outreach Coordinator at the Vermont Foodbank, told the group of volunteers that local produce is a high demand item at the Chittenden County Food Shelf. The Gleaning Program is a critical element of the Foodbank’s ability to make sure that food-insecure residents have access to nutritious ingredients.
Jeff Polubinski, an associate at Gravel & Shea, spearheaded the event as part of the firm’s continuing commitment to engage in ongoing relationships with local nonprofits. Recognizing the necessity of the Vermont Foodbank’s work in a state where hunger is still a serious problem, the firm is proud to support their mission of ensuring that all Vermonters have access to food every day. “It’s great to spend an afternoon outdoors connecting with my coworkers while we’re all doing something good for the community,” Polubinksi said.
The group picked over 500 pounds of kale and collard greens.
