12/29: Food Banks Want Your Citrus - Gleaning Season Begins January 3



The New Year means one thing to food banks around Arizona: citrus gleaning season has officially begun. To help meet increased demand for food brought on by increased poverty, un- and under- employment and the continued uncertain economy, food banks are asking the public to donate excess citrus, free of stems and leaves, from their personal and neighborhood trees. 

Beginning January 3, contact your nearest food bank for details about donating or helping to harvest this year’s citrus crop:

• Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, Tucson: 520-882-3288
• Desert Mission Food Bank, North Phoenix: 602-870-6062
• St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, Phoenix & Flagstaff: 602-343-5658
• United Food Bank, Mesa & East Valley: 480-926-4897 ext. 256
• Yuma Community Food Bank, Yuma: 928-343-1243, 

While food banks always appreciate when individuals drop-off their own citrus donations, some food banks may employ volunteer gleaning crews to come to your property to glean trees. Gleaning crews are typically limited in availability and are reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis after January 3, 2012. Priority is given to elderly and disabled property owners unable to pick their own trees. Some food banks may ask for a monetary donation to cover the costs of gleaning trees.

Unlike previous citrus gleaning seasons in Arizona, this year’s season is affected by the presence of Sweet Orange Scab (SOS). The USDA has placed Arizona under a quarantine which prohibits sharing citrus with out-of-state food banks in exchange for other produce items, as has been standard practice. Affected citrus is perfectly good to eat, since SOS primarily affects how the citrus looks, not its taste or nutritional value. In addition, Arizona food banks can juice the citrus they receive and share that out of state – thus food banks are still very much interested in citrus donations!