Editor’s note: We are excited to introduce to you Allison, our new Bounty Hunters program coordinator. Allison comes with deep interest and experience in food access issues. Read her blog post and join Allison as she takes the lead in reinvigorating the Bounty Hunters program! Become a gleaning volunteer or a gleaned food donor. Here’s Allison, in her own words.
I’m honored to join the Petaluma Bounty team as the Bounty Hunters Gleaning Program Coordinator. I come to the Bounty Hunters Program with a decade of experience in nonprofit program management and fundraising, and I’m excited to devote my efforts to the Bounty’s mission of healthy food for everyone. All of us should have access to our local agricultural riches, and I’m grateful to play a small part in realizing that vision.
I’m from Southern California (by way of Illinois), and after spending my college years on the East Coast, I moved to the Bay Area nine years ago. I’ve also lived in Spain and Taiwan, and while I’m an avid adventurer and traveler, I love the tight-knit community we build together in Petaluma.
My passion for beautifully-grown produce began when I volunteered with a student-led CSA program during my time as an undergrad at Brown University. The Brown Market Shares Program introduced me to the joy of connecting people with local food producers. Much of my work – from growing produce as a field crew member on small farms to selling farm-direct produce at Bi-Rite Market, to establishing a food waste reduction program at nonprofit cooking school 18 Reasons – has been in pursuit of the awe I first felt when unpacking crates of gorgeous local veggies for the CSA.
Supporting the Bounty Hunters program helps me find meaning by giving me the chance to take care of our local food pantry clients, and – though it may sound strange – it means just as much to me to be a good steward of the edible plants in our community. I have a deep respect for the human and botanical efforts that go into growing the food all around us, just waiting for us to pick it and find it an appreciative home.
When I’m not climbing ladders and tasting tomatoes from the vine with the Bounty Hunters, you’ll find me walking my cat Rooibos, reading on a well-placed park bench, or experimenting with new recipes and food preservation techniques. I love doing yoga, practicing my Spanish and Mandarin, and meeting new people, so please reach out if you have any ideas to share.
Get involved with the Bounty Hunters Program
The Bounty Hunters program provides gleaning services to recover fresh, local food at risk of going to waste. By gleaning food from backyard gardeners, farms, orchards, and businesses, food that could otherwise go to waste is diverted into the food system as donations to local food pantry partners. Our food distribution partners help share our bounty with seniors, people experiencing homelessness, and others facing food insecurity. Fill out the forms at the links to join our efforts as a gleaning volunteer or a gleaned food donor!
