The database can then be cross- referenced to a similar database that indicates the names, addresses, needs and preferences, and capacities of the recipients or recipient agencies, as well as names of volunteers who can be called on to gather the crops from the farmer's field. Before going out to ask a farmer to donate, the project manager needs to anticipate questions that the farmer is likely to raise. Keep in mind that a farmer is going to have some unique concerns that will need to be addressed, and it is important not to make a commitment that will be impossible to keep. One final issue that will be very important to most farmers is how well- equipped the gleaning project is to handle produce on very short notice. If a project needs 3 or 4 days to make all the arrangements to get out to a certain farm, the farmer is not likely to want to participate, because he or she may not know how much there is to donate until it becomes necessary either to move the excess off the field or to plow it under so another crop can be planted.
Producers are professionals whose time and product are valuable.
Identifying Other Types of Food Donors In soliciting other types of food donations, the solicitor should be conversant with State and local health department restrictions and requirements that would affect the donation of prepared foods, as well as basic food safety procedures for handling and storing of the donated items. This means that once the donor has agreed to contribute allowable leftovers, the food rescue project would be prepared to do just about everything that the donor does not agree to do, such as arrange a pick-up schedule that is convenient for the donor, provide the transportation, and provide the resources needed to pick up the food and take it away. Collecting and Transporting the Food Collection and transportation of recovered food are usually the most expensive and logistically difficult aspects projects of food recovery and gleaning projects. It is critical to ensure food safety in all aspects of collecting food. Suitable containers to hold collected food are essential.