Spokane Volunteers Harvest Two Tons of Surplus Apples

The effort provides fresh, locally grown fruit to 25 housing sites and food pantries across the Spokane area.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Organic Food

Screen-print poster illustration of a wooden crate overflowing with red apples on autumn leaves, representing a community food gleaning initiative. — Volunteers with the Spokane Edible Tree Project harvested two tons of surplus apples from Hidden Acres Orchards to support local food pantries. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Volunteers with the Spokane Edible Tree Project gathered two tons of apples from Hidden Acres Orchards following the close of the u-pick season. The donated fruit will now be distributed to local food pantries and 25 housing sites to support Spokane residents facing food insecurity.

Why it matters

Gleaning initiatives like this prevent perfectly healthy produce from going to waste while directly supporting the nutritional needs of food-insecure individuals in the area. This effort ensures that surplus crops from local growers provide a fresh resource for community members who may have limited access to healthy food options.

Volunteers collected two tons of Golden Delicious apples from Hidden Acres Orchards in a single half-day session. The total output of this initiative remains dependent on volunteer capacity and the timing of crop maturity throughout the local season.

The players

Spokane Edible Tree Project

A volunteer-led organization that gleans surplus produce from local trees to address food insecurity.

Catholic Charities Eastern Washington

A social services agency that distributes food and resources to housing sites and pantries throughout the region.

Hidden Acres Orchards

A fruit producer in Green Bluff that grows more than 30 varieties of apples.

The details

To harvest the fruit, volunteers utilize ladders to reach apples across the orchard's more than 30 varieties. Each piece of fruit is individually inspected for holes and bruises caused by codling moths before collection. By managing these quality checks, the project ensures the produce remains safe and viable for the diverse range of sites served by Catholic Charities Eastern Washington.

The Spokane Edible Tree Project has been active since 2013.
Hidden Acres Orchards concluded its u-pick season on October 24, 2026.
Volunteers conducted the harvest on October 25, 2026.

Health Landscape

This effort highlights the integration of local volunteer networks with agricultural operations to optimize regional food security. It reflects the broader move toward reducing food waste by connecting surplus produce directly to households that rely on community-based nutritional support.

Accessing fresh, locally harvested fruit can significantly supplement the nutritional quality of a diet, particularly for those relying on food pantry resources. If you are experiencing food insecurity, contact local social services to learn how to access distributed produce in your neighborhood.

The takeaway

Gleaning programs turn potential farm waste into fresh, nutrient-dense resources for those in need. If you are interested in increasing your intake of fresh seasonal produce, check the websites of local community organizations to find food distribution schedules in the Spokane area.