Arizona food banks taking extra citrus fruit from Valley trees

PHOENIX - If you’re being overrun with citrus on your trees, you are in luck because the new year means one thing to food banks around the state: citrus gleaning season has officially begun. And they will be happy to take the fruit off your hands!

The Association of Arizona Food Banks says the demand for citrus is extremely high in Arizona, because of “increased poverty, unemployment and the uncertain economy.” In order to meet those demands, food banks are asking folks to donate the excess fruit from backyard and neighborhood trees.

Brian Simpson with the Association of Arizona Food Banks says some food banks will even be able to come to your house and glean the citrus for you. “It’s important that you call as soon as you can, because it’s first come, first serve,” Simpson says.

Last year, food banks around the state gleaned nearly two million pounds of citrus from Valley trees. In addition to feeding those who need it, any extra fruit is traded with food banks around the nation in exchange for apples from Washington and potatoes from Idaho.

These food banks offer gleaning crews to the public:
• St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance, Phoenix & Flagstaff: 602-343-5658, www.firstfoodbank.org
• United Food Bank, Mesa & East Valley: 480-926-4897 ext. 256, www.unitedfoodbank.org
• Community Food Bank, Tucson & Southern Arizona: 520-623-7978 ext. 222, www.communityfoodbank.org

The Association of Arizona Food Banks also wants to keep the date, Saturday, January 22nd in the back of your mind. This is St. Mary’s Food Alliance’s annual “Super Citrus Saturday,” when they will be collecting your extra fruit for that specific food bank.