Canton Launches Free Produce Exchange at Summit

From now until early fall, Canton Leisure Services is offering its first Community Veggie Tray, a no-cost fruit and vegetable exchange designed to encourage Canton residents to trade their produce surplus, according to a news release from Canton Leisure Services.

In an effort to prevent area residents' extra harvest from going to waste, local gardeners can now share their bounty with their Canton neighbors in this free and friendly produce exchange, the news release said.

The Community Veggie Tray program is currently held in the lobby of the , located at 46000 Summit Parkway. Drop off your extra items in designated baskets and pick up fresh veggies of your liking during regular Summit hours: Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

This inventive program resulted from an unmanageable amount of fresh fruits and vegetables that cluttered Canton Leisure Services Recreation Specialist Jennifer Provenzano's kitchen countertop.

"One family can really only eat so much salad before they begin to revolt," said Provenzano. "I started wondering at home and then at work just how many households have extra veggies going to waste when there are so many households wishing to eat a variety of healthier locally grown foods."

To help get this new program off to a good start and to ensure its continued success, Joe's Produce of Livonia is donating a box of fresh produce each week.

"We're so very lucky to have partnered with such a charitable business on this effort," said Provenzano. "We know that this program and the Canton community will really benefit from their generosity."

Participation in the Community Veggie Tray is free and open to all Canton residents. Organizers hope that this produce exchange will function in many ways just like the take-a-penny trays found next to cash registers, but with fresh produce - Have a veggie? Leave a veggie! Need a veggie? Take a veggie! Those who participate in the program are asked to do their best to remain fair and respectful of limited quantities and the high demand of this free produce to ensure that as many households are able to benefit from the program as possible.

Remember, this season you don't have to grow everything; just grow enough to share and trade with your neighbors through the Community Veggie Tray. Watch the exchange display for healthy recipe cards and tips when different items are in high season. For additional information, visit cantonfun.org or contact the Summit on the Park Front Desk at (734) 394-5460.