Who we are...
Our Seasons
We are an ever-growing group of working people and corporate teams trying to Improve tree stewardship and reduce fruit waste in the Truckee Meadows through the provision of
-Free picking labor using professional harvest equipment
-Tree care tips and tricks for the best harvest and recognition of your contribution to the community through public posting of donations on our socials https://www.facebook.com/Renogleaning
-Crates and transportation of ripe edible fruit to the organizations that feed the needy in our community
The Reno Gleaning Project has two seasons. We have our partner development season which begins on January 15th and ends on June 15th. During this time, we interview and recruit pickers and assess donation opportunities out of the many organizations and entities that feed people in our area.
Then we have our harvest season. Harvest begins with the first fruit, usually cherries and apricots in July or August and goes to November 15 when consecutive freezes and daylight savings time shuts us down.
If you visit the site in either season you will notice our multiple contact buttons. One is to request service and the one at the bottom of the page is to donate your time and talent. We try to interview new pickers in the off-season because we are way too busy when the fruit comes to work our full-time jobs, pick AND train. . This allows us to stay focused on the work of our season and better serve the community at large.
Partnering
There are several ways to partner with the RGP to Get hyper-local yard-to-table fruit that grows in the Truckee Meadows to the needy.
If you want to pick, please scroll to the bottom of this page and click donate your time and talent. Please fill out the form in its entirety and we will contact you to discuss expectations.
You will be contacted as time permits. If you meet the qualifications to pick, an extension pole picker, crates, bags and gloves will be provided for you.
Growing:
1-3 hours per year
Growers are the foundation of our project and we are so grateful for your tree stewardship. If you have a tree, there are a few key things that will improve the production of your tree for your consumption and for your donation. Beginning in 2019 fruit will be picked on a best in, first out based. That means we will need to check quality before assigning a picker.
Water your tree 15 minutes per month when your sprinklers are turned off. It will change your tree's life!
To increase your chances of producing donatable fruit you can check out the TREE CARE TIPS tab at the top of this page for tips on improving your harvest. Good growing my friends🙏🏼
THE EMERSON ACT PROTECTS YOU AND US FROM LIABILITY IN THE ACT OF DONATING FOOD
https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-good-samaritan-faqs.pdf
TO DONATE FRUIT GO TO OUR HOME PAGE AND CLICK REQUEST PICKING PLEASE DO THIS WELL BEFORE YOUR FRUIT IS RIPE SO WE HAVE TIME TO SCHEDULE LABOR
STONE FRUIT-Including Cherry, Plum, Apricot, Peach
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST WHEN THE FRUIT IS GREEN. THIS PLACES YOU IN THE CUE FOR SERVICE. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHEN THE FRUIT STARTS TO CHANGE TO THE COLOR OF RIPENESS By responding to your verification email.
APPLES -We harvest Apples late August through October
some varieties like Delicious, Winesap, Pippin, Spy and Granny Smith require a cold snap to be ripe.
Watch this video to gauge the ripeness of your Apples
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsD5f9ERbHc&list=TLGGD39Ai2UnjHAwMjA5MjAyMw
PEARS -We typically harvest Pears in September
please make your picking request when your fruit is green.
Watch this video to see when pears should be harvested
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzAdvZCkG3g
Picking:
3 to 30 hours per year
We commit a minimum of 4 man hours of service to each property owner who invites us to harvest their ripe edible fruit. If fruit does not taste good or has excessive damage or the yard is unkempt, you may decline the pick and you will be given another tree to harvest.
As an individual picker, you are given the request for service. You then contact the grower and arrange a site visit based on your availability.
You can find my form "RGP Volunteer Application Form" at: https://form.jotform.com/90259051425150
You need reliable transportation, sturdy bags for collecting fruit, an extension pole picker. We have Orchard Ladders for larger trees 12-20ft in height and will deliver those to the picking site as needed. We encourage aggressive pruning to keep most of the fruit within arms reach as it is the most efficient use of our volunteer resource and yeilds the greatest number of pounds per hour donated.
Group picks are arranged for corporate organizations, clubs and Service groups who want to work together harvesting and donating. The average time from arrival to completion is 3 hours. This is fun way to start or end the work week and the picking event end in donation so the team gains a real sense of accomplishment with every pick. Fill out this form to apply for your organizations event. You will be contacted by the director to arrange a location.. Corporate Responsibility Partnership Application" https://form.jotform.com/232115332485046
A list of non-profit organizations that feed people is provided and you can choose where you want to donate. We encourage pickers to identify new donation opportunities and we are willing to support any organization in town that feeds people.
Surveyor:
30-50 Hours per year
This position is best suited for people with a flexible or mobile work schedule who drive around town for their work like outside salespeople and realtors. People who want to participate but are not physically capable of picking may also apply.
Do you have a non-profit that feeds people?
Tell us about your organization so we can bring you some fruit!
Click here to fill out our Food Distribution Partnership application.
Financial Support for Our Work
We are most interested in donations of time and talent but we realize many people, because of work, family obligations and physical limitations can’t give that. If you want to see us expand our picking teams and area of service, you can support our work financially. Your support is most appreciated. Generous donations have been instrumental in making this organization a registered 501c3 non-profit our EIN# is 82-2650231.
We accept checks made payable to:
Reno Gleaning Project
Please Mail Checks and Correspondence to:
Reno Gleaning Project
10580 North McCarran Blvd
#115-444
Reno, NV
89503
All donations go to support fruit collection through the purchase of extension pole pickers, Orchard ladders and fees for our website and request forms. Pickers are using their own money and resources to pick and a portion of the fruit is their compensation.
There are no paid positions at the project and picking is always free. Pickers DO NOT accept donations.
If you would like to donate please click the link below. Thank you so much.
Can't Pick or Grow? Donate to our Equipment fund
Financial Support for our Lofty Quest
Your support and contributions will enable us to expand our partnerships and build our equipment stable to serve more Home Owners and support more trees
Photo Gallery
About Us
We pick excess ripe, edible fruit not used by its grower
We pick excess ripe, edible fruit not used by its grower
We pick excess ripe, edible fruit not used by its grower
Tree caretakers are welcome to contact us at the first sign of ripeness.
We will arrange to assess fruit viability on a First Requested-First Visited basis. Don’t wait too long.
Fruit that is firm is best for the donation!
We donate to Local non profits that feed the community
We pick excess ripe, edible fruit not used by its grower
We pick excess ripe, edible fruit not used by its grower
A large tree can produce 200-1500 lbs of beautiful fruit. We need help to distribute before it spoils. We are so grateful to support the work of Catholic Charities, Boys and Girls Club, the Eddy House, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bristlecone, Sparks Community Pantry, Reno Posse, Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality, Reno Sparks Gospel Mission, Community Health Alliance and many more.
You can help!
We pick excess ripe, edible fruit not used by its grower
You can help!
Grow for us!
Water, prune and clean under your tree. If you really want to get fancy you can fertilize and thin your fruit. TMWA has resources to help you care for your tree!
Is your fruit almost ready to eat? Request a glean! Click our request service button and fill out the form. I will receive your request and assign the next available picker.