GRASS VALLEY, CA – October 30, 2025 – With the federal government shutdown set to cut off SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits for Nevada County families as of November 1, 2025, Sierra Harvest is expanding its “Food Fight” campaign to ensure that people don’t go hungry and that fresh, nutritious food doesn’t go to waste. Following the call to action of its successful October 3rd event promoting the importance of a resilient local food system, the nonprofit is shifting resources to mount a rapid response to the crisis.

In Nevada County, 13,617 people are enrolled in CalFresh (California’s SNAP program), including 3,346 children and 2,079 seniors over 65. Data from the state reports that CalFresh contributes $2.3 million each month to the Nevada County economy alone through purchases made at grocery stores and local farmers’ markets. The human and economic consequences of this potential crisis are dire and demand immediate action.

While federal assistance is failing, local solutions can help alleviate hunger in our community. Sierra Harvest, leveraging its existing Gold Country Gleaning program, is rapidly mobilizing volunteers to harvest excess produce from home orchards and gardens and deliver it directly to local food banks and pantries. The Interfaith Food Ministry and the Food Bank of Nevada County are feeling a double pinch with impacts to their funding as well as an increase in clients to serve.

“This is an unprecedented time for our community,” said Sierra Harvest Executive Director Eli Bacon. “Our local food banks and pantries have already seen an increase in demand and now are working overtime to meet the upcoming challenge. Sierra Harvest is here to do our part: organize volunteers to glean delicious, fresh, and healthy food that’s available right in our own backyards. Our incredible network of volunteers and donors are our champions, and we need every single one of them to rise to the challenge.”

How can you help? Sierra Harvest Gleaning Coordinator, Raven Aletheia, urges property owners to allow volunteers to harvest unused bounty from their fruit trees and gardens. “We’re looking to rapidly increase the number of volunteers needed to staff gleaning events,” Raven explains. “No experience is necessary, only a willing heart and a pair of hands.” Recognizing the nearness of the end of harvest, the fall crop of squash varieties, pears, persimmons and apples will be the primary focus. Sierra Harvest will pick up as little as ten pounds of produce. Gleaners are supplied with gloves, gleaning aprons, collection boxes, and ladders.

Sierra Harvest plans to open its educational Food Love Farm to gleaners and will post opportunities on the online gleaning calendar.

How to join the Food Fight:

• Volunteers: Sign up to be a “Harvest Hero” volunteer on our gleaning site sierraharvest.org/gleaning/ . Complete the online volunteer application before signing up for an individual glean.
• Produce Donors: Have a tree or garden with surplus produce? We’ll work with you on a date and time for a volunteer crew to make optimal use of your harvest. You can sign up at sierraharvest.org/gleaning/
• Donations: To support our emergency efforts and ongoing programs, donate at sierraharvest.org/donate.

About Sierra Harvest:

Sierra Harvest is a non-profit organization that educates, inspires, and connects western Nevada County families to fresh, local, seasonal foods. Since 2007, we have worked to create a just and sustainable food system through farm-to-school education, farmer

support, and our Gold Country Gleaning program. For more information, check sierraharvest.org