SOUND OFF: Welcome back to GAP!

HAPPY MAY, KAMLOOPS! Spring has sprung at last – and summer is in the air! All across the city, fruit trees are blossoming, gardens are sprouting and the sun is shining, which can only mean one thing – it’s almost time to kick off our 13th year of harvesting at the Gleaning Abundance Program (GAP)! Time sure flies when you’re having fun.

Last year, we harvested a grand total of 14,911.8 pounds of produce, including local favourites like apricots, apples, pears, grapes and cherries, as well as veggies like jalapenos and corn. Engaging over 400 volunteers, we hosted 67 harvests, 11 Produce Preservation workshops with the help of Dede Bone – several of which engaged private groups from Two Rivers Metis Society and Kamloops Immigrant Services – and an awesome pruning workshop in March with Jani Margetts of Creative Image Landscaping. We also delivered thousands of pounds of produce each week to 22 local organizations that support food-insecure clients.

This year, we have an exciting update to share with you. Along with the Kamloops Food Policy Council website’s fresh new look, we are also launching our nifty new Tree, Farm and Garden signup sheet. If you would like to register for your property to be gleaned this summer, click here to get started. If you need a hand in navigating the signup process, fear not – we have created a quick tutorial over on our YouTube channel just for you. Troubleshooting questions can always be sent over to gleaning@kamlopsfoodpolicycouncil.com, I’m happy to help!

If you would like to get involved in harvesting with GAP this year, you can sign up as a volunteer on our website by clicking here! Gleaning is a great opportunity to get outside, help your neighbours and support us in reducing food waste in our community. Through our program, one third of each harvest is distributed across our community to those who would otherwise go without fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables, and the other two thirds are split between the participating volunteers and the property owner. Not only are you making a difference by volunteering with GAP, but you are also receiving your own portion of fresh produce to take home. It’s a win-win!