Cache Community Gleaning provides free dates and community service

Cache Community Gleaning is hosting weekly apple-picking “date nights” at locations throughout the valley, offering volunteers a budget-friendly fall activity that also supports others in need.

The date nights are being held on a different day each week. Volunteers can expect to spend about three hours providing service.

“People always pay to pick apples, so we figured we would give them the opportunity for free while still doing service,” said Charles Miller, the Cache Community Gleaning coordinator.

Gleaning is the harvesting of excess fruits and vegetables to donate to others who may not otherwise have access to fresh produce. While gleaning activities occur throughout the year, leaders of the Cache County organization have found that the fall harvest offers an opportunity to gain volunteers who are interested in an affordable date.

“It would be a fun date because it’s free and there is food involved,” said Aubretia Sweet, an experienced gleaning volunteer.

Although most of what is harvested is donated to local food pantries, including the Utah State University Student Nutrition Access Center, individuals who volunteer are permitted to take home samples of their work.

“You could make caramel apples with what you take home for a good follow-up date,” Sweet said, “if the first one goes well.”

Additional information on gleaning date nights can be found on the gleaning team’s Instagram page @cachegleaning, or at justserve.org.