22 Years / 24 Million Pounds
Hidden Harvest aims to reduce hunger and food waste while supporting small farmers in the Coachella Valley. They rescue fresh produce from local packing houses, or pay small farmers to grow crops, providing the much needed variety of FREE, nutritious produce to low-income seniors and families.
22 Years / 24 Million Pounds
Hidden Harvest aims to reduce hunger and food waste while supporting small farmers in the Coachella Valley. They rescue fresh produce from local packing houses, or pay small farmers to grow crops, providing the much needed variety of FREE, nutritious produce to low-income seniors and families.
Millions of pounds of produce are left for a variety of reasons — cosmetic blemishes, overproduction, dwindling market price. We also recover many hundreds of thousands of pounds of produce each year from area packing houses. This fresh and nutritious produce reaches nearly 50,000 needy people throughout Coachella Valley each month through our client agencies and our own programs.
See how the Hidden Harvest model rescues produce and works to feed the hungry at the same time.
Support the effort to feed the hungry, create jobs and distribute nutritious greens throughout the community. Your contribution will have a tremendous impact on local families, seniors and the working poor.
It is our loyal donors and supporters that make this “calling” a reality.
I can’t believe it but Hidden Harvest has just entered its 22nd year of operation. We couldn’t have done it without you. I know I speak for our fantastic staff and volunteers when I say that we approach our “calling” with love and dedication, to assure our clients are not sick, but healthier and more vibrant.
Our Current Developments
Keep up with Hidden Harvest's progress by following our achievements and impact in the community. > READ MORE
How We Do It: Hidden Harvest's mission is twofold.
Our win-win solution gives millions of vegetables and fruits a second life and thousands of families a healthy meal -- while employing the working poor.
One hundred percent of Hidden Harvest's administrative costs are raised by our generous and committed board of directors. That means every dollar donated to Hidden Harvest by the general public or through foundation grants goes directly toward our services.
Programs
All of our programs/aspects and activities are part of the whole – gathering and distributing fresh, local produce to fight hunger, obesity and diabetes among our most at risk populations.
Programs
All of our programs/aspects and activities are part of the whole – gathering and distributing fresh, local produce to fight hunger, obesity and diabetes among our most at risk populations.
All of Hidden Harvest programs are integrated, creative efforts that put forth a cohesive, community effort that not only fights hunger but obesity and disease as well.
What We've Done
Since 2000 Hidden Harvest has harvested over 24 million pounds of fresh, surplus crops from Coachella Valley fields and local packing houses. All this "rescued" produce has been distributed to nearly 50,000 people every month through our own programs and via more than 60 partner agencies that serve low-income families.
What We've Done
Since 2000 Hidden Harvest has harvested over 24 million pounds of fresh, surplus crops from Coachella Valley fields and local packing houses. All this "rescued" produce has been distributed to nearly 50,000 people every month through our own programs and via more than 60 partner agencies that serve low-income families.
Click to look through some of our accomplishments.
January – Our first HH / CV High School farm harvest! Broccoli, Cauliflower and Cabbage harvested and distributed to our own Senior Markets. Farm to table in 24 hours!! The student farmers had the opportunity to participate in the full cycle of planting, weeding, harvesting and distributing – giving new understanding to the farming process as well as community involvement. They are terrific ambassadors for their school and the Agriculture Education program
March – Spring crops are in at the HH/CVHS Farm! Persian melons, cucumbers and summer squash planted under plastic row cover.
January – HH Executive Director, Christy Porter sits on a discussion panel at the 2013 Clinton Foundation Health Matters Conference.
Later President Bill Clinton pays a visit to Hidden Harvest Headquarters! NBC film crews were also filming a segment for NBC Nightly News, with Dr. Nancy Snyderman reporting on health issues and the importance of healthy food access for everyone.
September – Hidden Harvest and CV High School join forces to bring the CVHS farm back into production with the intention of creating a model teaching farm where Agriculture Education students, Culinary Arts students, FFA and 4-H students will have hands on, practical experience in all phases of a small farm and fresh food production, while providing a source of fresh produce for Hidden Harvest to distribute to agencies serving families in need.
First crops planted at CV High School Farm with help from Ag students.
December – In our newest out-of-the-box idea to acquire more produce for our clients, HH partners with a generous local small farmer in a Grow Our Own project. Our farm partner “gave” us four rows to plant, maintain and harvest our own produce and he would supply the water and fertilizer. We grew and harvested broccoli on our four rows. The project was a positive first step in our quest for a more predictable supply of produce.
November - Hidden Harvest is on TV again! November 18, 2012, CBS Sunday Morning News with Charles Osgood in a segment about food waste in America.
Hidden Harvest is featured on the newly launched Clinton Health Matters Initiative website: www.clintonhealthmatters.org
Where We Are Going
Hidden Harvest is constantly adapting and evolving as we seek new ways to serve our community. We credit this active and innovative approach for allowing us to foster education, empower individuals and improve the overall health of those we serve.
Where We Are Going
Hidden Harvest is constantly adapting and evolving as we seek new ways to serve our community. We credit this active and innovative approach for allowing us to foster education, empower individuals and improve the overall health of those we serve.
Hidden Harvest has many exciting opportunities in the days ahead!
As we concentrate even more on improving the health of the Coachella Valley's most vulnerable through the acquisition and free distribution of our local Coachella Valley produce.
Support
You can support Hidden Harvest by volunteering your time or donating to the cause.
As always every dollar donated goes directly towards our services.
Support
You can support Hidden Harvest by volunteering your time or donating to the cause.
As always every dollar donated goes directly towards our services.
