BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
As Thanksgiving approaches, Manhattan is getting an unexpected gift: a pop-up apple orchard right in the heart of the city. And behind this sweet surprise is The Farmlink Project, a college-student-founded nonprofit that has become one of the most inspiring forces in food rescue today.
On Tuesday, November 25, The Farmlink Project and 260 Sample Sale will transform 261 Fifth Avenue into a cozy, cider-scented celebration of community. Starting at 11 a.m., anyone in the city can drop in and grab free, farm-fresh apples. All 20 thousand pounds (enough apples for roughly four thousand families) come straight from Upstate New York orchards, thanks to the New York Apple Association.
“Every day, tons of fresh, healthy food goes to waste while families go hungry,” said Eliza Blank, CEO of The Farmlink Project. “With the government shutdown disrupting food assistance, Farmlink is stepping up to close the gap—showing how simple it can be to turn surplus into sustenance.”
Bringing the orchard to the city
Inside 260 Sample Sale’s Fifth Avenue location, the organization will set the scene with warm cider, fall décor, and volunteers ready to share how Farmlink rescues surplus food from farms and delivers it to families in need nationwide. The goal is not only to spread seasonal cheer but also to spotlight a system that turns abundance into access.
Alongside the twenty thousand pounds of apples being handed out to the public, Farmlink will donate an additional fifteen thousand pounds to food banks across New York City, including partners in Harlem, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. That’s thirty‑five thousand pounds of fresh fruit supporting families just as holiday grocery bills spike.
A simple idea with a massive impact
The Farmlink Project began with a few college students during the early months of the pandemic. They saw two crises happening at once: farmers plowing under perfectly edible produce and millions of families struggling to afford food. Their solution was beautifully straightforward. To connect the farms that have too much with the communities that have too little.
In just a few years, the nonprofit has grown into one of the only national organizations moving millions of pounds of surplus produce each week. Today, Farmlink collaborates with more than 400 farms and food donors and over 500 hunger‑relief partners across the U.S. and Canada.
Every box of apples, carrots, lettuce, or tomatoes that Farmlink moves is a reminder that solving big problems sometimes starts with small, coordinated acts of care.
A mission fueled by community
In September, Farmlink teamed up with Happier Grocery and distributed two thousand pounds of fresh produce to New Yorkers in just two and a half hours. This month’s pop-up orchard is part of the nonprofit’s push toward an ambitious goal: delivering 10 million pounds of food by Thanksgiving.
The event also includes support from Carhartt, which will be onsite selling limited-edition Carhartt x Farmlink hats and T-shirts. Proceeds go directly toward expanding Farmlink’s work, making it even easier for New Yorkers to help close the gap between surplus and scarcity.
An invitation to give and receive
Everyone is welcome at the November 25 event. Admission is free, apples are free, and donations are encouraged but never required. Whether you stop by for cider, to grab a bag of apples, or simply to learn more about food rescue, your presence helps grow a movement rooted in generosity.
As Farmlink’s work shows, sometimes healing a broken food system starts with a single piece of fruit, shared with care, passed hand‑to‑hand, and offered with the belief that no abundance should ever go to waste.
Event details
What: Free Apple Picking in NYC hosted by The Farmlink Project & 260 Sample Sale
When: Tuesday, November 25, 11:00 a.m. until apples run out
Where: 260 Sample Sale, 261 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan
Admission: Free and open to the public (donations encouraged). Register here.
To learn more or get involved, visit farmlinkproject.org.
More organizations turning surplus into sustenance
The Farmlink Project is part of a much larger movement to ensure good food never goes to waste. Across the country, hundreds of groups work to harvest surplus produce, connect growers with food banks, and make fresh food accessible to families who need it. Here are a few national directories and organizations where readers can explore, volunteer, or get inspired:
Backyard Bounty (Santa Barbara, CA)
Backyard Bounty is a volunteer-powered gleaning program run by the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County. Since 2007, the program has rescued more than 1.5 million pounds of backyard and farm-grown fruit. They’ve saved everything from citrus and figs to avocados and guavas, and redirected it to local families in need. Homeowners can request a harvest, and volunteers of all ages can join picking days to help ensure good food never goes to waste. We had to mention this one since we are based in Santa Barbara! Learn more at foodbanksbc.org or on Instagram at @backyardbountysbc.
National Gleaning Project (U.S.)
The National Gleaning Project serves as one of the most comprehensive directories of gleaning and food rescue groups in the country. Their interactive map makes it easy to search by state or city and discover local organizations that harvest surplus produce and deliver it to communities in need. Whether you’re looking to volunteer, donate food, or start a gleaning program of your own, this is the place to begin. Explore the map and resources at nationalgleaningproject.org.
Association of Gleaning Organizations (AGO)
The Association of Gleaning Organizations is a national network that connects and supports gleaning groups across the country. AGO provides training, shared resources, and community-building opportunities for nonprofits that rescue surplus produce and make fresh food accessible to those who need it most. Their member directory makes it easy to discover local gleaning efforts or join the movement if you’re ready to start one. Learn more at gleaningorgs.com.
Society of St. Andrew (SoSA)
The Society of St. Andrew is one of the longest-running gleaning organizations in the U.S., working with farmers and volunteers to rescue surplus crops and deliver them directly to hunger-relief partners. With active gleaning programs in multiple states, SoSA hosts community harvest days, coordinates farm pickups, and helps millions of pounds of fresh produce reach food banks each year. Their model makes it easy for anyone to join a harvest and make a tangible impact. Find a gleaning opportunity near you at endhunger.org.
AmpleHarvest.org
AmpleHarvest.org helps gardeners and growers donate extra fruits and vegetables directly to local food pantries. That means no middleman, no food waste. Their national registry lists thousands of pantries that accept fresh produce, making it easy to share homegrown abundance with families who need it. Whether you’re tending a backyard garden or managing a community plot, this tool turns surplus into immediate support. Search the database or register your pantry at AmpleHarvest.org.
Food Forward (Los Angeles & beyond)
Food Forward rescues fresh surplus produce from farms, backyards, and wholesale markets across California and reroutes it to hunger-relief organizations. Their work spans everything from backyard fruit picks to large-scale recoveries at the LA Wholesale Produce Market. Collectively, they recover millions of pounds of fruits and vegetables each year. Their Food Recovery Directory is also a widely used resource that lists dozens of regional food rescue and gleaning organizations across the U.S. Learn more or explore the directory at foodforward.org.
Village Harvest (California & national directory)
Village Harvest is a California-based nonprofit that brings volunteers together to harvest surplus fruit from neighborhood trees and small orchards, then distributes it to local food agencies. Alongside its hands-on gleaning work, Village Harvest also maintains a national directory of harvesting and gleaning programs, offering an invaluable resource for anyone looking to find or start a community fruit rescue effort. Explore volunteer opportunities or browse the directory at villageharvest.org.
A growing movement
Whether it’s Farmlink rerouting farm surplus, Backyard Bounty harvesting backyard citrus, or any of the hundreds of gleaning programs across the country, one thing is clear: food rescue is a community effort, and everyone has a part to play.
If you’re inspired by this work, start local. Check the directories above, look for a gleaning or food rescue organization in your area, or start one if none exist yet. And if you already volunteer with one of these programs, we want to hear from you!
Optimists, email us (social@optimistdaily.com) or tell us on socials…
- What’s your favorite gleaning or food rescue group?
- Do you volunteer for one of these organizations?
- Did we miss a program we should know about?
- Have you grown fruit or vegetables you’ve donated before?
This movement works because people like you get involved. Spread the word, show up, and help make sure good food never ends up in the trash.
