This little tidbit was reported by the AP News Service November 23...on MSNBC
PLATTEVILLE, Colo. - A Colorado farm couple say they got a huge surprise when they opened their fields to anyone who wanted to pick up free vegetables left over after the harvest.
Forty thousand people showed up yesterday and picked the fields so clean that Joe and Chris Miller had to cancel a second day of gleaning.
Chris Miller says she had expected as many as 10,000 people might show up for the free potatoes, carrots and leeks. Instead an estimated 11,000 vehicles snaked around the cornfields, creating a back up of more than two miles. About 30 acres of the 600-acre farm turned into a parking lot.
One woman taking part says with everybody "so depressed about the economy," the event turned into "a pure party" with "everybody having a great time getting something for free."
The farm's operations manager estimates the visitors gathered 600,000 pounds of produce.
Owner Chris Miller says "People obviously need food."
This is NOT something that I made up, folks. Now do you see why some of us warn about bad times coming? Now do you see that the fact that 9% of the workers in the country are unemployed is every one's problem? Now are you beginning to understand that those of us urging you to add to your food storage are just trying to help you prepare ? And if you haven't started a storage program, I strongly urge you to start one.
Folks, understand this. I am not telling you that hard times are coming, I'm telling you they are here. Please don't just ignore what's happening now, and start getting prepared for what's coming, OK?
Now, let's go get some fresh coffee and sit on the patio for a bit.
Very inspiring that just by offering, this couple helped people not only with food but a chance to make new friends and have a little fun, too. I'm thinking, though (I know that is dangerous), if gleaners gathered approximately 600,000 pounds of produce off that farm, maybe the owners need to see about hiring new harvesters themselves. I think it just goes to show that there are still some things done better by hand than by machines.( I don't even know if they used machines for harvesting. )
ReplyDeleteHey Sis...thamks for stopping by this morning. Amazing that the amount of food is so large, but more amazing is the number of people that showed up to glean the fields.
ReplyDeleteJust a sign of the times, I'm afraid.
Love ya Sis...
Interesting post Jim.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard it although it's right around the corner from me.
But I don't always watch the news either. It's just too depressing sometimes, you know?
That sure is pretty amazing.
Thanks for the coffee, as always.
blondie :))
Hey Blondie...guess we had better be careful when we advertise free food, huh?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit...
Amazing info - way things are looking we may all soon be looking for "gleaning" spots....
ReplyDeleteWonder how long we could live on okra, that is one thing we can grow for sure! Mom
What a nice thing for the couple to do. Benefits everyone.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, our future wont be all too dire, but it is always a good idea to stock up and have extra survival necessities just in case of an emergency. Communal living might not be too far off. Much of it is happening already with family members and close friends moving in together.
A really good book by Steinbeck is The Grapes of Wrath. The movie is also good for those who don't like reading.
lydia
Hey Lydia...I guess that all we can do is to hope for the best and plan for the worse...
ReplyDeleteHave a great day.
HermitJim,
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you COULD beat it--
with a stick!!!