Gleaning!

Nellie and I went beetroot Gleaning today! It's an organisation in Cornwall that "...harvest unwanted and surplus vegetables from fields that are about to get ploughed in and distribute said veg to food banks and community kitchens where it is need the most. Food banks are crying out for fresh produce with many users suffering from malnutrition. We need volunteers on the ground, friendly farmers and transportation links to make this happen."
Today as well as harvesting beetroot for food banks, the beetroot was going to be sold to Riverside Cafe and the money given to the organisation to put towards buying transportation. One crate would raise £150. We picked 1.5 tons! 
It was easy work but oh my hips ached afterwards! We only picked large ones as they are sorted by machine and the supermarkets like conformity in size. When people are struggling to make ends meet why not offer smaller / wonky veg at lower prices? Is this zealousness for conformity in our food led by the consumer or the supermarkets I wonder?
 It was interesting talking to the farmer who rents the farm from The National Trust. Not great landlords by the sounds of it. They rent out properties in appalling conditions, the renters do them up and then they put up the rent! Circus Girl lived in one and the wallpaper in the tall staircase was peeling off due to the damp and mould was covering the wall. 
Nellie and I left after 2 hours as her back was aching and my car was due at the garage for an MOT. Good job we left when we did as the rain came in and it was torrential for the rest of the day! 
With the beetroot and carrots from the farm I made a lovely salad of them grated with sultanas, lemon zest and juice!