Harvest for the Hungry Project  

Interested in spending a few fun hours on a worthwhile and educational project?

Pick produce for those in need of our area – help us harvest what USDA grows! We are looking for groups interested in working at USDA for a few hours. The harvesting begins in late July at the USDA Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, MD (right off of Beltway Exit 25-A). We pick produce on most Monday and Thursday mornings from 10:00am – 12:30pm. There are also a few Sunday harvests available.

Please contact Pam Koch: pamkoch@cox.net to register and get directions to the USDA farm. Please note, all participants must download and sign a waiver form.

General information:

The harvesting program runs from about the third week of July to the second week of October. You must register to participate; space is limited.

Harvesting takes place at the USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, a 7000-acre facility in Beltsville, MD. Most of the produce is not sprayed with pesticides or herbicides, making it nearly organic. We never pick experimental or genetically engineered produce. The facility is located on Route 1, just off Beltway Exit 25-A. Detailed directions are given when you register.

The produce is transported by Food for Others to the warehouse in Fairfax, Virginia where it goes to feed thousands of hungry people in our area.

There is no age limit for participants, but young children must be supervised by responsible adults. All volunteers can take some produce home to their own families. Community Service forms can be signed by FFO staff. Bring them to the harvest. 

If it is raining on a scheduled harvest date, USDA staff decides whether it is still possible to harvest the morning of the harvest. Details are given when you register.   

The harvesting activity provides community groups, churches, schools and individuals an opportunity to meet the scientists, learn about research, and help the poor of our area.  This project is truly a fun, educational experience and worthwhile community service project, and it's good exercise too!