Families gathered from across Orange County to participate in the first annual Thanksgiving Veggie U-Pick to promote food security awareness and encourage eating fresh vegetables and fruit.

Participants of all ages had a great time digging in the dirt for root vegetables like carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes, pulling up onions, clipping sage, cutting celery and snapping off fresh green beans. In addition to the fresh vegetables the attendees had the opportunity to take home persimmons, pomegranates, apples and even sunflowers for the final touch to their holiday table.

While in the collecting their harvest, UCCE Master Gardeners were available to answer questions and provide information on safe food handling and proper storage of fruits and vegetables.

 

Many thanks to everyone who attended and assisted to create such a wonderful day full of smiling faces. A special thank you to the youth from the 4-H program who came out and harvest a bounty of food taking the donation for those in need as part of their giving project. A truly good day!