Fresno Couple Rescues Tons of Citrus, Fights Food Waste

Offer Kindness Inc. harvests excess fruit from local properties and donates it to food banks and those in need.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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A Fresno, California couple, Simon and Aleeza Berman, have formed the organization Offer Kindness Inc. to rescue surplus citrus fruit from local properties and donate it to food banks and those in need. What started as a personal initiative has grown into a significant community effort, with volunteers helping to harvest around 10 tons of fruit. The Bermans' work highlights a growing awareness of food waste and a desire to address local needs.

Why it matters

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, which has significant economic and environmental consequences. Offer Kindness provides a grassroots solution to this problem, demonstrating how neighbors can come together to reduce food waste and support their community.

The details

The Bermans' journey began when they realized their home's citrus tree produced far more fruit than they could consume. They started harvesting excess citrus from local properties and donating it to food banks and those in need. Through social media and word-of-mouth, their initiative quickly gained momentum, and they now estimate having harvested around 10 tons of fruit. The couple has adapted to the logistical challenges, even purchasing a truck to transport larger quantities. Offer Kindness relies heavily on volunteer support, with recent harvests involving around 25 volunteers and yielding 10,000 pounds of fruit distributed to local food pantries and organizations.

  • Offer Kindness Inc. was formed in 2025.

The players

Simon and Aleeza Berman

The founders of Offer Kindness Inc., a Fresno-based organization that rescues surplus citrus fruit from local properties and donates it to food banks and those in need.

Beverly Cardwell

A Fresno homeowner who previously relied on a gleaning organization that is no longer available, and is now grateful for the service provided by Offer Kindness.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Offer Kindness plans to expand its efforts to include other seasonal fruits, maximizing the impact of their gleaning program and providing a wider variety of fresh produce to those in need.

The takeaway

Offer Kindness's work highlights the growing movement of community-driven solutions to address food waste and support local food security. Their grassroots initiative demonstrates how small actions can have a significant impact on reducing waste and strengthening community ties.