Growers - AmpleHarvest.org

The Opportunity

11.5 billion pounds of garden produce becomes food waste every year. Nearby gardeners want help your food shortage.

We know how difficult it is to meet the increasing needs of the hungry in your community. Gardeners in your area can help! They often grow more fruit, vegetables, herbs and nuts than they can use and are happy to share some with your food pantry — if only they could find you!

What We Do

close-up of fresh tomatoes in someone's hand

The Solution

What is AmpleHarvest.org

AmpleHarvest.org is a free nationwide registry. We enable gardeners who’ve grown too much food to easily find food pantries in their area. Today, 8,935 food pantries across all 50 states have already registered, with more signing up everyday. Don’t miss out on all of these donations of locally-grown fresh food.

Our Impact

Donating is not limited just to backyard gardeners!

Millions of Americans grow tomatoes, cucumbers, berries and other foods on their patio or rooftop. Millions more have homes with fruit trees they planted, or was planted by the previous homeowner. Even urban dwellers find that they can easily grow herbs (fresh chives, parsley, mint, and other herbs are particularly appreciated by pantry clients) in windowsill gardens. Lastly, many food pantries use AmpleHarvest.org to list those store bought items (canned foods, paper goods, toiletries, etc.) they are most in need of, making AmpleHarvest.org helpful to shoppers as well as gardeners.

Farmers Markets

If you have extra produce at the end of the day, don't throw it away! Help out your community by feeding the families in need.
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CSA Members

Have leftover produce? Pass it on!
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Community Gardens

Grow as a community, help as a community.
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Farmers & Commercial Growers

Any surplus produce could help your local food pantry feed people in need!
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Home Gardeners

Have a garden at home? Any small donation can help feed a family!
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New Gardeners

Even if you do not have a lot of gardening experience, you can still help people in need!
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Any questions? Check out these resources!

Do you want to learn more about gardening with the Extension Master Gardener program?

Extension Master Gardeners

Testimonials

I used to feel silly just taking a handful of peppers to the pantry until I realized how much three large, fresh, local, organic peppers would cost at the grocery store and what a gift it truly was for a mom or dad who might not have enough money to buy them for their family. That made me want to share even if I felt like it was not enough.

Emily, home gardener and former Grower Outreach Coordinator at AmpleHarvest.org

Several months ago I spent one dollar on a packet of tomato seeds. Using only a small portion of the seeds in that packet, I grew about 8 tomato plants which have provided us with lots of tomatoes for salads, sandwiches, and sauces.

Jamie, home gardener

Because of AmpleHarvest.org, our food pantry got lots of lovely, delicious grapefruit. Before that I thought no one knew we were in existence. Thank you AmpleHarvest.org.

Patricia A., Meal Mania Food Pantry, FL