On Saturday, March 2nd, 20 members and friends of First Congregational United Church of Christ headed out to Bedner’s farm in western Delray to pick green peppers.
Gleaning is a biblical initiative that involves volunteers picking produce from farmers’ fields that have been left from commercial harvesting methods. The food is distributed through the Food Recovery Program, operated by Village Baptist Church and the Palm Beach County Food Bank, to local agencies that work to feed the hungry in our community.
Keith Cutshall, CROS gleaning coordinator, explained that in earlier times when food was grown closer to where people lived, farmers would intentionally leave produce behind in the field for those who needed it. As farming became industrialized and removed from close proximity to communities that was no longer possible. Keith explained that the CROS gleaning program and our participation in it served as a bridge between available produce and those who need it.
We plan on gleaning once more this season, probably in May. Keep an eye out so you can participate in this vital, fun ministry!
















































