Volunteers with a tractor full of oranges
Posted: June 3, 2025

This article was contributed by author Vikki Bowes-Mok, a Village Harvest volunteer.

Every spring, rows of golden oranges glow in the North San Jose sun — ripe, fragrant and ready for harvest. But these aren’t just any oranges. Grown just blocks away from Silicon Valley tech campuses, they’re handpicked by volunteers and delivered to neighbors facing hunger. In a region of abundance, these fruits have become a symbol of generosity, community and connection.

So what does it take to get a fresh orange from an orchard into the hands of someone in need?

According to author Michael Pollan in The Omnivore’s Dilemma, the journey from farm to plate can be more than 1,500 miles. But here in Silicon Valley, thanks to three remarkable partners — a family-owned and operated orchard, Village Harvest and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley — that distance is often less than 50 miles.

Deep Roots at a Family Orchard

This story begins nearly a century ago with Manuel, a Portuguese immigrant to California. In 1920, he purchased land in North San Jose and established a dairy farm. For more than 30 years, his family’s dairy thrived.

As the valley’s landscape changed in the mid-20th century with an influx of canneries, the family adapted by replacing cows with pear trees. Then, in the 1990s, they transitioned once more — this time to navel oranges. By the late 2010s, however, the family stopped selling their oranges commercially.

“I thought it was a crime to let the oranges go on the ground,” said third-generation owner Bob, standing under a leafy canopy of orange trees planted by his grandfather nearly a century ago. “So I got in contact with Village Harvest and we’ve been working together ever since.”

Harvesting Hope

Village Harvest, a nonprofit that mobilizes volunteers to glean backyard and small orchard fruit, stepped in with open arms — and buckets. For the past eight years, hundreds of volunteers have joined seasonal harvests each year at the “Giant Orange Orchard,” picking fruit that would otherwise go to waste.

Since the partnership began, 800,000 pounds of oranges have been collected and donated.

Craig Diserens is one of the founding volunteers of Village Harvest, as well as its current Executive Director. He told The Mercury News that he estimates that there are between 10 million and 40 million pounds of fruit naturally growing in Silicon Valley’s residents’ backyards. He said if everyone pitched in to pick that leftover fruit, we could eradicate hunger in the Bay Area.

Founded in 2001, Village Harvest has donated over 4 million pounds of fresh fruit — all locally grown, locally shared.

Feeding the Community, One Bin at a Time

Once harvested, the oranges are delivered to Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, one of the largest food banks in the country. Second Harvest distributes the fruit through its vast network of more than 400 nonprofit partners at over 900 food distribution sites in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties — from soup kitchens and shelters to schools, churches and senior centers.

“Many people don’t realize that in affluent Silicon Valley, 1 in 6 people turn to Second Harvest of Silicon Valley for support,” said Emily Acosta, produce sourcing manager. “These oranges, grown just a few blocks away from our Cypress Center, represent such an impactful story of neighbors helping neighbors. With just one bin, we’re able to distribute oranges to almost 300 households.”

David Saxton, senior volunteer services production manager, sees firsthand how much the oranges mean to recipients.

“Oranges are one of our most popular and nutritious produce items,” he said. “We love telling volunteers that they’re packing fruit grown right here in San Jose. We’re grateful for this donation and the opportunity to help get farm-fresh produce into the hands of people who need it the most.”

From Tree to Table

In a place known worldwide for innovation, it’s the simple act of picking an orange that’s creating real change. Thanks to the orchard family’s legacy and hard work, Village Harvest’s boots on the ground, and Second Harvest’s massive distribution network, a fruit that could have fallen to the ground now feeds thousands.

It’s a story rooted in generosity, grown in community and shared with love.