Pilot Produce Gleaning Program to Address Food Insecurity
Food waste is a major issue in the overall food system. Approximately 40% of food finds its way into the dump every year. At the same time, one in nine people in South Dakota are food insecure. A grassroots team in Sioux Falls is attempting to address both of these issues in one creative solution.
The Food Security Action Team is a consortium of stakeholders in Sioux Falls and the surrounding area gathered to address food insecurity. This fall the team is attempting a pilot gleaning project to transform unused, fresh produce into nutritional, shelf-stable products for people.
In September, the team had it’s first collection and cooking date. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions, and zucchini were gleaned, with the help and volunteer time of Master Gardeners, from community gardens, personal gardens, and local farms. The produce was then aggregated, and local chefs volunteered their time to create canned products such as tomato sauce and pickles. The products will be distributed to people dealing with food insecurity through venues such as the Eat Well Sioux Falls Mobile Market. There will be a second collection date in October with the date to be determined.
Gleaning organizations or projects exist throughout the nation, though South Dakota has few examples. Currently, the best way for producers to directly help food insecurity is by donating or selling local products to organizations like Feeding South Dakota or through individual initiatives. A replicable program for transforming unused produce into canned or frozen products could help communities across South Dakota fight both food waste and food insecurity. For more information or to participate, you can contact Michelle Erpenbach at Sioux Falls Thrive.