Getting the Zucchini Distributed

Maurice, Shivilie, and Chuck

Once Dale transported the zucchini from the field at Davis Ranch back to our Dino Drive facility, our volunteers worked to get the newly gleaned veggies packed into boxes that would fit in our fridge. 

Travis, our Operations Manager, estimated that we received about 800 pounds of zucchini.  We were fortunate to have picked just enough to serve clients for one week in our emergency food distribution program.

We need volunteers to help glean the veggies that are left in the fields at Davis Ranch.  This posting shows how much food is left in the fields.  Please consider spending part of your Friday morning gathering food for your neighbors in need. 

To join our volunteer crew, please call Travis at 916-690-8866. 

Thank you to Davis Ranch for this incredible opportunity to provide our clients with fresh zucchini.

Davis Ranch, LLC
13211 Jackson Road
Sloughhouse, CA 95683
Just 15 minutes north of Elk Grove.

Why We Need Volunteer Gleaners

These zucchini (and more) were left in the field unpicked and over-grown because of the low turn-out on our call for volunteers to glean the fields at Davis Ranch.

This past Friday, as we picked zucchini, Peggy Davis made an additional request.  "Toss the zucchini that are too big on the road.  It will help keep the dust down."  We enjoyed chucking the overgrown ones on the road, seeing how far we could toss them and dodging the wayward flying zucchinis.  However, when we were done, the amount of food that was left on the road was sobering.  The photo above shows half-way down the length of just three rows of zucchini.

The beautiful verdant fields of Davis Ranch

 We re-organized our process of picking.  We had a "runner" transporting full buckets to the truck, so the pickers could stay on task.  

 

  

  In less than an hour, we picked two bins of zucchini for our Elk Grove neighbors.  

If you have time on a Friday morning and would like to join our happy group of volunteers, please call Travis at 916-690-8866.

Thank you to Davis Ranch for this incredible opportunity to provide our clients with fresh zucchini.

Davis Ranch, LLC
13211 Jackson Road
Sloughhouse, CA  95683
Just 15 minutes north of Elk Grove.

Gleaning Zucchini at Davis Ranch

When we drove up into the parking lot at Davis Ranch, we were greeted by Peggy Davis and her assistant, Monica.  We formed a small caravan and made our way through their fields toward the zucchini.

We were able to drive the panel truck close to the rows of zucchini for easy loading. 

Two volunteers out standing in their field. 

After a short lesson from Peggy on the art of picking zucchini, we were handed buckets and let loose in the zucchini field.  Peggy explained that her workers had already picked this field a few days ago, and that the plants were still producing but not at the same rate as the initial harvest.

I hope the three plants in my garden produce half as much as these wonderfully healthy plants.

In a short time, we filled two large bins in our truck and moved on to filling bins for other food distribution organizations in the area.

Peggy said that "many hands make light work," and it did.  We worked through the zucchini field and moved on to yellow squash.  Another lesson in the art of picking, slightly different technique required and off we went. 

Oddity of the day

We filled one and a half bins of yellow squash and four bins of zucchini.

We were a bit dirty and tired, but we came back with a new appreciation for the food we have on our tables, admiration for the Davis family's devotion to serving the community, and a sense of accomplishment in helping to get fresh produce to our Elk Grove neighbors in need.

If you can join us, our next adventure in gleaning will be on Friday, June 15, 2012.  Please contact Deb at 916-685-8453 or Travis at 916-690-8866.

Thank you to Davis Ranch for this incredible opportunity to provide our clients with fresh zucchini.

Davis Ranch, LLC
13211 Jackson Road
Sloughhouse, CA  95683
Just 15 minutes north of Elk Grove.