Islanders help people in need at Harvest Share Table

Published 2:30 pm Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Jennifer Goodrich beamed with pride as she stood behind the Harvest Share Table on the morning of Nov. 23.

Located at the Mercer Island Farmers Market’s annual Harvest Market next to Mercerdale Park, the table was filled with everything from canned soups and green beans, boxed potatoes and juices, containers of rice, a bag of fresh apples and much more. Throughout the day, the table became even more abundant with fresh broccoli, potatoes and cauliflower and other items purchased from market vendors.

Goodrich, who is the market’s president emeritus, engaged in conversations with attendees about the market’s new community initiative to ensure that those in need could fill their own tables with fresh goods for Thanksgiving. According to a press release, market staff encouraged shoppers to bring unexpired goods from their home pantries or buy extra items from the vendors to donate at the Harvest Share Table.

For two weeks leading up to the Harvest Market, nearby Encounter Church congregants collected donations and dropped them off on Nov. 23. When the market closed for the day, members of the local St. Monica’s Catholic Church gleaning program picked up excess donations and food to deliver to food banks and make pre-packaged meals for those in need.

At the Harvest Share Table, the market collected 225 pounds of donations. Overall throughout the market season, the St. Monica’s group has picked up about 6,600 pounds worth of donated goods for its program.

Market manager Ange Garrett explained how the Harvest Share Table initiative came about: “Due to the different SNAP cuts, EBT cuts that have happened with the administration, my heart really personally went out to those folks. I was actually a recipient of food stamps when I was a kid. My family was. My mom was a single mom with four kids, and so she struggled, and so I feel personally connected to those families who also struggle to provide a meal for their kid.”

When people stopped by the table, they took what they needed — no questions asked, said Garrett. She noted that staff didn’t check for EBT or SNAP cards, adding, “I really pride myself on our farmers market being a no-judgment zone. We do not judge anybody based on their financial status, anything.”

Garrett’s heart warmed up and she shed a few tears while eyeing the table and seeing Islanders helping their neighbors during the community market.

When Goodrich’s name entered the discussion, Garrett noted that her colleague’s heart is really in the Harvest Share Table and she’s a huge proponent of offering the table every single year.

“I feel grateful to be a part of an organization that believes strongly in supporting our community. It is uncertain times for many, which is really unfortunate and tough. And if this little step is something that we can do to help — what an amazing thing,” Goodrich said. “We had several very appreciative shoppers that swung by the table. We were really pleased with the outcome.”

Along with the importance of the Harvest Share Table, Goodrich and Garrett both mentioned the crucial Market Bucks program, which runs throughout the market’s regular season and also helps with food insecurity. The market launched the program through its sponsorship with Aljoya.

“Everybody deserves to have fresh food, delicious food. And so that’s my heart behind it. And that’s really the market’s heart behind it as well,” Garrett said.

For more information, visit https://www.mifarmersmarket.org/market-bucks.