Food Rescue and Recovery in San Diego CountyFood Rescue and Recovery in San Diego County

In 2012, San Diego county commercially

harvested 174,528 tons of

citrus.

This does not include fruit

from the hundreds of

privately owned orchards and

trees .

The USDA estimates that

40% of crops/produce

are plowed under, rot or go

to waste

1 in 6 people in San Diego County is “food insecure”

Almost 17% of San Diegans don’t know where their next meal is coming from, with the greatest negative impact on children.

We have the answer to this problem in our own backyard

By harvesting excess fruit from orchards in North San Diego County, and delivering this bounty to those in need, we can solve both of these problems with existing resources.

Most private orchard owners have an abundance of fruit they do not use, and it goes to waste.

1The greatest need for food banks is fresh fruits and vegetables.2

3

HOW?

About the Founder

Nita Kurmins GilsonFounder, CropSwapSanDiego

Nita started CropSwapCarlsbad (now CropSwapSanDiego) in 2009 by harvesting neighborhood fruit. She has expanded the program to include over 40 volunteers who have harvested over 16,000 pounds of fruit from over 20 donors in North San Diego County.

In 2012 CropSwapCarlsbad became an official collaborator with Housing Opportunities Collaborative, partnering with Feeding America, who services over 230 local food agencies. By using their refrigerated trucks, her program has been able to increase their harvest size, and expand their reach of food recovery to the needy.

How we do it

VOLUNTEERSWe have a core of about 40 volunteers, from individuals to community and church groups, who donate a few hours a month picking delicious fruit for a common good. Their hard work directly affects and improves the lives of those who have no access to fresh fruit on a regular basis.DONORSIn the last 5 years, we have partnered with over 20 owners of small-to medium-sized orchards, to harvest their excess fruit. We have picked over 16,000 pounds of citrus (oranges, lemons, grapefruit and tangelos) and delivered the fresh fruit to food banks in San Diego.

What we need to growNow in our 5th year, CropSwapSanDiego is ready to take neighborhood harvesting to the next level by

creating a countywide fruit recovery program.

Bringing together volunteers and growers, we can make food recovery as natural as recycling.

With two growing seasons and an overabundance of citrus, San Diego county has the resources and

ability to alleviate hunger.

This is a win-win-win for our whole community.

For more information:www.cropswapsandiego.org

Sharing has never been sweeter!