Good Food Belongs on Every Table
Every week, Capital Roots’ Squash Hunger program delivers thousands of pounds of fresh, locally grown produce to food pantries, shelters, and community organizations across the Capital Region. What began as a grassroots produce collection effort has grown into a region-wide network connecting farmers, gardeners, and market shoppers to neighbors in need—ensuring that everyone has access to
nutritious, high-quality food from our regional farms.
Fresh Food. Shared Locally.
Squash Hunger takes a simple idea and makes it powerful: local food should nourish every table.
Through our network of volunteers, farm partners, and donation sites, we collect and distribute more than 600,000 pounds of fresh produce each year—including fruits and vegetables from community gardens, purchased from local farm, and gleaned from fields that would otherwise go to waste. Within 24 hours of collection, that food is on the tables of families, seniors, and individuals across Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Saratoga Counties.
Our partnerships with over 40 community organizations help ensure that local food reaches thousands of people every week—because everyone deserves the quality and nourishment of food grown right here in our region.
Where the Food Goes
Albany County
• American Legion of North Albany | Albany
• Stepping Out | Albany
• West Hill Refugee Welcome Center | Albany
Rensselaer County
• Bread of Life Food Pantry Poestenkill | Poestenkill
• Brunswick Cares Community Food Pantry | Troy
• CONSERNS-U – Catholic Charities Tri-County Services
Rensselaer
• Grafton Area Food Pantry at Our Lady of the Snow/
Our Lady of Victory Church | Grafton
• Joseph’s House and Shelter | Troy
• Mt. Ida Food Pantry | Troy
• REACT Inc. Food Pantry | Troy
• Sidewalk Warriors Troy | Troy
• St. Paul’s Center | Rensselaer
• The Hill Street Inn | Troy
Saratoga County
• CAPTAIN Community Human Services
(Karyl’s Cupboard) | Clifton Park
• Christ Episcopal Church | Ballston Spa
• Franklin Community Center Food Pantry | Saratoga Springs
• Grace Church / Frank’s Pantry | Waterford
• Greater Galway Food Pantry | Galway
• Lifeworks Community Action | Ballston Spa
• Lifeworks Mobile | Ballston Spa
• Living Hope United Methodist Church | Waterford
• Mechanicville Area Community Services Center
Mechanicville
• Salvation Army | Saratoga Springs
• Saratoga Community Health Center | Saratoga Springs
• Shelters of Saratoga | Saratoga Springs
• St. Clements Outreach | Saratoga Springs
• Stillwater Food Pantry | Stillwater
• Stillwater Public Library | Stillwater
• Veterans & Community Housing Coalition | Ballston Spa
• Waterford Public Library | Waterford
• Wilton Food Pantry | Gansevoort
Schenectady County
• Nisky NOW | Schenectady
And many more community pantries, churches, and service organizations across four counties!
Ways to Get Involved
Donate Fresh Produce
You can drop off fruits and vegetables at any of our Squash Hunger bins located at participating grocery stores, markets, and farm stands throughout the Capital Region. Whether you’re harvesting from your own garden or shopping at your local market, your donation helps keep local families nourished.
Volunteer to Deliver
Join our volunteer network to help collect and deliver produce to food pantries and shelters in your community. It’s an easy, flexible way to make a big impact in just a few hours a week.
Contact us at volunteer@capitalroots.org or call 518-274-8685 to get started.
Join a Gleaning Day
Each season, we partner with regional farmers to recover unharvested produce directly from the fields—a practice called gleaning. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to pick, pack, and share thousands of pounds of farm-fresh food in a single morning.
Sign up for gleaning notifications by emailing squashhunger@capitalroots.org.
A Fresh Approach to Fighting Hunger
Squash Hunger represents what makes Capital Roots unique—a regional food system working together to nourish its own community. From the hands that grow it to the hearts that share it, this program proves that access, dignity, and good food can go hand in hand.
Together, we’re feeding our neighbors, reducing food waste, and building a healthier Capital Region.
Contact Us
Squash Hunger is Sponsored in part by
squashhunger@capitalroots.org
518-274-8685
