Spokane Group Helps Put Green Bluff Apples on Local Plates

Since 2013, the Spokane Edible Tree Project has collected fruit that might otherwise spoil on trees or the ground. Its crews visit farms, parks and residential yards, then connect the harvest with charities and food banks serving people in need. Executive director Brendan Finch, the project’s only paid worker, organizes volunteers, picking schedules and nonprofit partnerships.

This fall, volunteers arrived at Hidden Acres Orchards in Green Bluff the morning after its u-pick season closed. Owner Nick Simchuk said the orchard, home to more than 30 kinds of apples, had its strongest season. Working in two Sunday shifts, volunteers gathered leftover Golden Delicious apples. Thomas J. Brown estimated that about two tons were picked within half a day.

Crews check each apple for bruising and holes caused by codling moths because damaged fruit does not keep as long. Most harvested fruit is stored in a large cooler through Catholic Charities’ Food For All program. It is later distributed among 25 housing locations, while extra supplies are sent to nearby food pantries. Program director Jesse Hansen said the gleaning effort has delivered substantial quantities of fruit and helped ease pressure created by federal funding reductions.