Who we are...
Our Seasons
We are a small group of working people trying to reduce fruit loss in the Truckee Meadows. 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 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 distribute the amazing fruit that grows in the Truckee Meadows .
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. Please be patient as we are all working full time as well as volunteering at the RGP. If you meet the qualifications to pick, an extension pole picker and crates will be provided for you.
If you like Fresh Air and Fresh fruit, The Reno Gleaning Project might be right for you!
We are looking forward to meeting you and hope you decide to join us, in the way that best suits you, to save as much fruit as possible in our beautiful Community.
Opportunities are structured below based on the amount of time you have to offer.
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.
To increase your chances of producing donatable fruit you can check out the I HAVE A FRUIT TREE tab at the top of this page for tips on improving your harvest. Good growing my friends🙏🏼
Picking:
3 to 30 hours per year
We commit a minimum of 4 hours of service to each property owner who invites us to harvest their ripe edible fruit. As a picker, you are given the request for service. You then contact the grower and arrange a pick. You need reliable transportation, sturdy bags for collecting fruit, an extension pole picker. Ladders are only used if provided by the homeowner.
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 sales people 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 as a donation outlet!
Financial Support for Our Work
We are most interested in donations of time and talent but we realize many people because of work and family obligations can’t give that. If you still want to support our work, financial 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 out to:
Reno Gleaning Project
Please mail 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 and fees for our website and request forms. Pickers are using their own money and resources to pick and the fruit is our compensation.
There are no paid positions at the project and our picking is always free.
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to continuously improve our electronic tools, support our website and accounting and buy extension pole pickers for our volunteers and growers where needed!
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 welcomed to contact us at the first sign of ripeness.
We will arrange to collect fruit on a first call first served basis. Don’t wait too long.
Fruit that is firm is best for 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 Boys and Girls Club, the Eddy House, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bristlecone, Hands of Hope Food Bank, Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality, Saint Vincents, 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.