Urban Harvesting - Collect And Distribute Local Foods
The idea is simple and based upon the problem that most of the fruit that makes it into our grocery stores is transported great distances (1,000+ miles on average). All this energy, while a large percentage of fruit in people’s backyard simply goes to waste because most homeowners lack the time and interest to properly share or store this food.
Our mission is to directly connect this otherwise wasted fruit with the local markets, processing facilities, and food banks. We also plan to share all our experiences with this service by openly extending this information with the rest of the World. We hope others will adopt our strategy and start similar services in their own community.
If you are interested in more information, please visit Terra Harvest and you will be able to sign up to receive more information via email newsletter. We also want to hear what you think about this and if you have any suggestions to how to connect with others that might be interested in getting started. Please pass along so more like-minded individuals can learn about this project. Your welcome to use any photos from my Virb account for blog posts.
Thanks!
Hi,
In a close neighborhood and behind the police station, we have a community garden. Not only can people plant and eat their product, but they can take it to a market for sale and make some money. Seeds are cheap. Finding an empty lot is usually easy but protecting it is another story. We are pretty rural here in the upper pen. of Michigan. It is still not easy to protect the product so those who work so hard can benefit. All they have to do is help plant, weed, etc. All tools are donated as well as natural fertilizer and seeds. Rain water is collected in large barrels and a hand pump used to water. Even snow is collected in the winter. It has been quite successful. If people want to can the food, we might find donations from local stores as well as the local agricultural department. Michigan State U. has a local office here. They offer education for free on how to can and preserve food. Local tribal people talk to others about how to gather wild protects like asparagus and garlic, mushrooms, fish, etc. and how to preserve it the old way. There is so much in the library to borrow and teach others. Even the old ways of preserving foods and planting are in books or on the internet. Just need people to carry out the efforts. It is so worthwhile to do these things to help others survive on their own.
Hey there– I couldn’t find your e-mail address on the blog, so I’ve left my comment and tip here!
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What a great idea! Here in Oklahoma we have lots of delicious fruit which falls off and is ignored by the trees’ owners. They only plant them because they flower in the spring. And of course we could sink a battleship with the pecans which are wasted. Keep up the good work!
[...] dropped me a note about a concept he was developing: urban harvesting. In his post on the topic, Kemper notes that much (perhaps most) of the food we eat in the US travels long distances to get [...]
[...] heard of Urban Harvesting? If not, you need to read about this venture by Kemper Barkhurst over at Environmental Survival. “The idea is simple and based upon the [...]
What a great Idea! I live in Los Angeles where there are probably more fruit tress in residential yards per capita then any other place. Please let me know how I can get involved!