Gleaners find lots of food for the needy

WATSONVILLE, CA (KGO) -- The math doesn't add up for California farmers when high fuel costs and a glut of lettuce on the market are sometimes forcing them to take a loss. A Watsonville farmer participates in a unique program that benefits people who need it most. Dick Peixoto farms a thousand acres of organic produce in the Pajaro Valley. 12 acres are red, green and romaine lettuce. At today's market price Dick could get about $8 a carton. The problem is that it would cost him about $10 a carton to harvest and ship the lettuce. "We have the decision to either disc it up and basically put it back in the soil, or see if somebody can use it," said Peixoto. And that's where Ag Against Hunger comes in. The non-profit enlists volunteers to learn about agriculture and help feed the hungry. They glean produce fields and fruit trees... [read full story]