New World Survival · Definitive Community Garden Guide · Roadmap #55
Purpose: Use this workbook to move fresh community-garden produce through member sharing, a managed share table, community giveaway, charitable donation or institutional handoff. Complete only the sections that match your channel.
□ Individual plot produce remains the gardener's property unless explicitly donated.
□ Communal plot produce is controlled by: ________________________________
□ Abandoned-plot harvest authority is defined in written rules.
□ Volunteers know they may not harvest another member's plot merely because produce appears ripe or neglected.
| Channel | Use it? | Lead/contact | Hours or handoff window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal sharing | |||
| Member exchange | |||
| Garden share table | |||
| Community giveaway | |||
| Charitable recipient | |||
| Institutional recipient |
| Question | Recipient answer |
|---|---|
| Which crops do you want? | |
| Which crops/items do you not accept? | |
| Maximum useful quantity per delivery? | |
| Best harvest/delivery days and times? | |
| Washed or field-cleaned/unwashed? | |
| Packaging/container requirements? | |
| Refrigeration or temperature requirement? | |
| Receiving/traceability record required? | |
| Other state/local/institutional requirements? |
| Crop | Expected surplus | Likely harvest window | Primary channel | Backup channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Release: whole, sound produce; ordinary cosmetic variation allowed; no visible spoilage; condition meets the chosen recipient's requirements.
Review: minor bruising, insect damage or very short shelf life. Ask the recipient whether it can use the produce promptly.
Reject from distribution: rot, mold, sliminess, severe decay, visible fecal contamination, floodwater/sewage contact, unresolved chemical exposure, or unresolved pesticide harvest interval.
Before release: □ Owner/authority confirmed □ Hands clean □ Harvest container clean □ Produce condition acceptable □ Recipient/timing confirmed
□ Host/site permission is current.
□ Accepted-item rule is posted.
□ Surface and containers are clean.
□ Produce is off the ground and separated from trash, tools, chemicals and animals.
□ Shade/cooling plan matches conditions and crop needs.
□ Monitor is assigned.
□ Closing time and leftover route are known.
Monitor: ____________________ Opening time: __________ Closing time: __________
□ Remove spoiled or questionable produce.
□ Route remaining usable produce to the preplanned backup channel.
□ Clean table/surfaces and containers.
□ Record recurring leftovers or problems.
□ Adjust next opening quantity/hours if needed.
□ Local/host requirements checked □ Receiving standard set □ Accessible route planned □ Shade/rest for volunteers □ Surfaces/containers ready □ Leftover route ready □ Closing lead assigned
| Date/time | Crop / amount | Source | Recipient | Transporter | Notes/rejection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Institution: ____________________ Responsible staff: ____________________
Receiving procedure/document name: ________________________________________________
□ Approved source/relationship □ Delivery window □ Quality standard □ Washing/packing rule □ Refrigeration rule □ Traceability record □ Insurance/risk review if required
| Date | Crop/amount | Why rejected | Safe alternate use, compost or disposal | System change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
□ Volunteer/member taking rules are visible.
□ Pickup times do not always exclude the same households.
□ Recipient crop preferences are requested.
□ Distribution does not require unnecessary public disclosure of hardship.
□ Physical route, reach and carrying conditions are usable for intended recipients.
□ The garden tracks recurring waste, not only pounds distributed.
Date: __________ Issue: ____________________________________________________________
Channel affected: _________________________________________________________________
□ Garden-rule/ownership □ Food safety □ Pesticide □ Flood/contamination □ Local regulation □ Institutional policy □ Accessibility □ Insurance/liability □ Other
Immediate stop/containment action:
Referred to:
Resolution/source:
| Question | Evidence/answer | Next-season change |
|---|---|---|
| Which channel moved produce most reliably? | ||
| Which crops were repeatedly unwanted or overabundant? | ||
| Which crops were requested more often? | ||
| How often did share-table food remain at closing? | ||
| Were any donations rejected? | ||
| Did any safety/rule issue trigger a stop? | ||
| Was volunteer workload reasonable? | ||
| Did recipients report useful timing and crop fit? |
| Question | Agency/recipient contacted | Date | Answer/source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public share table / free stand rules | |||
| Food donation / health rules | |||
| Institutional receiving requirements | |||
| Insurance/liability question |
□ I can confirm ownership before harvest.
□ I can select the least complicated suitable distribution channel.
□ I can obtain and follow recipient requirements.
□ I can apply the release/review/reject standard.
□ I can open and close a share table responsibly.
□ I can document a formal handoff.
□ I can recognize a local/legal/food-safety question that requires referral.
Prepared by New World Survival. Revision date: September 5, 2026. This workbook supports the webpage “Produce Sharing, Donation and Distribution.” It is a national planning tool, not legal advice. Verify local health rules and the requirements of each receiving organization. Key source classes: FDA fresh-produce safety guidance; USDA school-garden and donation guidance; current federal food-donation law; land-grant Cooperative Extension donation-garden guidance.