All Over Albany

Squash Hunger

Here's a good way to put that bumper crop of zucchini to good to use. The Capital District Community Gardens has started up its annual Squash Hunger program:

The seasonal effort, underway through October, collects produce donated by gardeners, farmers, CSA (community supported agriculture) members and shoppers at drop-off locations throughout the Capital District and distributes the fresh food to local missions, shelters and food pantries.

Chrisck pointed out this program to us. She adds that you can help out even if you're not a gardener:

... because the drop-offs are at grocery stores and farmers markets and folks can purchase some extra vegetables when they do their own shopping. Before I had a community garden, I would buy an extra cabbage or sturdy vegetable at the Honest Weight to put in the box. My other tip is that people should note when the pick-up times are and schedule their donations so their veggies can get to people as fresh as possible.

Pick-up locations and hours are posted after the jump.

This is the 6th year for Squash Hunger. CDCG figures the program's brought in about 50,000 pounds of fresh fruits and veggies.

Capital District Community Gardens office - 40 River St., Troy - 274-8685

Delmar Farmer's Market (Bethlehem Central Middle School) - 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturdays

Delmar Marketplace - 406 Kenwood Ave., Delmar - 439-3936

Greulich's Market - 3403 Carman Rd., Schenectady - 355-1530

Honest Weight Food Co-op - 484 Central Ave., Albany - 482-2667

Hannaford Supermarket - 5 Maple Rd., Voorheesville - 765-2629

Hannaford Supermarket - 3703 NY Rt. 43, West Sand Lake -674-2846

Kristy's Barn - 2385 Brookview Rd., Schodack - 477-6250

Roma Importing - 9 Cobbee Rd., Latham - 785-7480

Troy Riverfront Farmers' Market (Riverfront Park) - 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wednesdays

Troy Little Italy Farmers' Market (Hill St. btw Washington & Liberty) - 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesdays

(Thanks, chrisck!)

photo: Flickr user Leeks 'N' Bounds