Spokane Edible Tree Project Harvesting Hope

Rescuing fruit, feeding families, and fighting food waste one tree at a time

By Taylor Shillam

Since 2013, the Spokane Edible Tree Project (SETP) has been on a mission to fight hunger and food waste in the Spokane area. By connecting local fruit tree owners, volunteers, food banks, and community organizations, SETP rescues fresh produce that might otherwise go to waste and delivers it directly to those who need it most.

“Our vision is a thriving community where everyone has access to healthy food,” says the SETP team. “When we glean, we not only recover food, we strengthen community.”

At the heart of their mission is gleaning (gathering leftover produce after harvest), the foundation of SETP’s work. Through their Glean for Good Program, volunteers coordinate with fruit tree owners across Spokane to collect unharvested fruit and deliver it to food banks and community kitchens. Since its founding, SETP has held more than 350 glean harvests, delivering over 234,273 pounds of produce to local hunger‑relief partners.

The organization’s Farmers Market Gleans Program expands its reach even further. Since 2017, volunteers have collected more than 3,000 pounds of unsold fruits and vegetables from participating markets—including Emerson‑Garfield, Thursday Market in the South Perry District, and the Spokane Farmers Market—and redirected them to local pantries.

Beyond the backyard, SETP also operates the Harvest to Give Program, a unique partnership with U‑Pick farms like Hansen’s Farm and Walter’s Fruit Ranch in Greenbluff. Customers can purchase extra produce at checkout and donate it on‑site; SETP then ensures it’s delivered to food banks.

Schools are another focus with SETP; through the ReProduce 81 Program, they work with Spokane Public Schools to recover unused cafeteria food. In 2018–2019 alone, this program engaged 11 schools, recovered 12,000 pounds of food, and logged 200 volunteer hours—all while teaching students the importance of food waste prevention.

In addition to hands‑on harvesting, SETP offers educational workshops and classes designed to build a stronger, more food‑secure community. Since 2015, these workshops have covered topics like fruit tree selection and planting, pruning and grafting, berry growing, edible native plants, and pest prevention. Key partners include Washington State University, Spokane Conservation District, and Spirit Pruners.

By teaching tree owners to better care for their trees, SETP ensures more productive harvests and healthier orchards, further reducing food waste and increasing access to nutritious food.

How You Can Help

Spokane Edible Tree Project’s success largely depends on community involvement, and there are many ways to make a difference:

• Register your tree so volunteers can glean unharvested fruit and distribute it to local hunger‑relief organizations.

• Volunteer to join a harvest crew, help at farmers' markets, or assist with educational events.

• Donate to support supplies, transportation, and ongoing community programs.

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Whether you have a backyard apple tree or just a few hours to give, your contribution helps keep food out of landfills and on the tables of Spokane families who need it most. Together, the community can fight local hunger, reduce waste, and promote a healthier Spokane for all, one tree at a time. 

Learn more or get involved at spokaneedibletreeproject.org.

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