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 one of the first grassroots produce collection efforts 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 purchased from local farms and gleaned from fields that would otherwise go to waste and donated by home and community gardeners. 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 more than 50 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

Rensselaer County

Saratoga County

Schenectady County

• Nisky NOW | Schenectady

We are always looking to work with new sites. Contact us to learn more!

Contact Squash Hunger

Ways to Get Involved

Donate Fresh Produce

Whether you’re harvesting from your own garden or shopping at your local market, your donation helps keep local families nourished. We only accept fresh, top quality produce for this program.

Contact us at squashhunger@capitalroots.org to learn more about what we can take.

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.

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.

Host a Produce Drive

Organize your own Squash Hunger Fresh Produce Drive at your workplace, school, or faith community!

Contact us at info@capitalroots.org or call 518-274-8685 to get started.

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

squashhunger@capitalroots.org
518-274-8685

Squash Hunger is Sponsored in part by

Support Squash Hunger