Salem Harvest: A Step Forward in Our Community

Feeding hungry families by harvesting food that would go to waste

Salem Harvest is a non-profit organization and its principal purpose is the distribution of food without charge to children or homeless, unemployed, elderly, or low-income individuals. Since 2010 more than three and a half million pounds of fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables have been donated providing direct support for thousands of hungry families and individuals.

Salem Harvest is one of the largest volunteer-powered harvesting organizations in the state. We connect farmers and backyard growers with volunteer pickers to harvest fruits and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste. 

Salem Harvest is driven by the vision that fresh fruits and vegetables are available to everyone and no crops go to waste, to harvest perfectly delicious but unused produce for hungry families across the Mid-Willamette Valley. Salem Harvest partners with local farms, Volunteers, Food distribution agencies, and Community Businesses. 

Harvest has not only the best sights in mind but they are hitting targets! Half or more of each harvest is delivered to food distribution agencies across the Mid-Willamette Valley. Harvest volunteers may take home the remainder for children or homeless, unemployed, elderly or low-income individuals.

Whether you are a farmer, neighborhood tree owner, interested volunteer, or donor, you are invited to join in building a compassionate community where neighbors help neighbors, where hungry families can gain self-sufficiency, where the urban and rural bounty is appreciated, and where sustainable lifestyles are celebrated.

Commercial growers and private homeowners with excess, unmarketable, or unused fruits and vegetables contact us to donate their crops. Donations are tax-deductible and some growers are eligible for an Oregon Crop Donation Tax Credit.

Harvests offer an opportunity for families to work together in the outdoors, help others in our community, and gain a better understanding of where our food comes from. Harvests offer local growers a compassionate alternative to letting their crops go to waste, reduce the effects of food waste on the environment, and provide families in need a way to gain self-sufficiency. This is because Harvest plans on building the community. 

Harvest pulls together a broad cross-section of the community representing diverse socioeconomic levels and ethnic groups. Hundreds of individuals primarily interested in sustainable lifestyles work alongside people who struggle with job loss and other economic challenges. 

Information compiled from Salem Harvest newsletters and website. Salem Harvest benefits all those involved and we encourage you to get involved to benefit yourselves and others in your community. You may reach out to www.Salemharvest.org , the Salem Harvest Facebook page, or volunteers to see how you can begin to help yourself and the community.