Project Abundance: Harvesting Your Excess For Families In Need

It seems obvious. There are families in our community that are hungry. There are Novato residents with fruit trees and vegetable gardens brimming with surplus produce. More often than not, that excess food ends up in the green can as yard waste or rots on the ground — a missed opportunity to help others in our community who would happily utilize it.

Enter Project Abundance, an idea that blossomed when sophomore Haley Pavone noticed the problem and decided to take action. "I was amazed at the amount of wasted food," she said, observing neighborhood fruit trees in need of harvest. "It was sad to see fruit rotting on the ground, with more in the branches just waiting for someone to use it."

The more she considered the waste, the more she felt compelled to find a solution. "I thought, 'there must be someone who could benefit from this surplus.'"

With this idea in mind, Pavone contacted the to inquire about starting a local teen community service harvest program that would benefit Novato's families in need.

The Marin Food Bank was more than happy to support Haley's idea, and agreed to accept produce harvested by the project for distribution to local families. "It's a win-win," Pavone smiles, "residents can take advantage of our free harvest service knowing their surplus food will be put to good use."

Pavone has organized a group of enthusiastic teen volunteer harvesters who are ready to pick Novato's surplus under the supervision of a parent coordinator.

If you live in Novato and have excess fruit or vegetables you would like Project Abundance to harvest, please email projectabundance@yahoo.com to schedule an appointment or contact Haley Pavone at 415-892-1102. For updates, visit the Project Abundance Facebook page.