Meet the Gleaners of St. Helena: How Steven Upton Helps Turn Excess Fruit into Community Impact

At EO&A, we believe that being part of a community means more than helping people buy and sell homes. It means investing in the places we live, supporting our neighbors, and finding ways to make a meaningful difference.

That's why we're proud to celebrate EO&A agent Steven Upton, who was recently featured in St. Helena Living for his involvement with the St. Helena Community Gleaning Project. Alongside fellow volunteer Madison Wilson and a dedicated group of community members, Steven helps collect excess fruit from local properties and deliver it to organizations serving residents throughout Napa County.

The result is simple but powerful: less food waste, more fresh produce for local families, and stronger community connections.

Steven Upton and Madison Wilson standing beneath a fruit tree that was harvested as part of the St. Helena Community Gleaning Project.

What Is Gleaning?

Many homeowners throughout Napa Valley have fruit trees that produce more fruit than they can possibly use. Without intervention, much of that fruit ends up falling to the ground and going to waste.

The St. Helena Community Gleaning Project helps solve that problem by connecting volunteers with homeowners who have excess fruit. Volunteers harvest the fruit and deliver it to food banks, community organizations, and local residents who can benefit from fresh produce.

According to the article, the program began with a focus on reducing food waste and has evolved into something much larger: creating opportunities for neighbors to support one another while strengthening the fabric of the community.

Volunteers gather fruit from residential properties throughout St. Helena, helping ensure excess harvests reach local organizations rather than going unused.

A Simple Idea with a Lasting Impact

When asked what inspired him to get involved, Steven shared that he wanted to create positive change in the community through volunteer work.

He was introduced to the gleaning effort through local volunteers who helped establish the program in St. Helena and quickly recognized the impact the project could have.

In the article, Steven explained that gleaning creates benefits for everyone involved:

• Food banks receive fresh fruits and produce.
• Homeowners receive help harvesting excess fruit.
• Food waste is reduced.
• Volunteers have the opportunity to build relationships while giving back.

Those benefits may seem straightforward, but together they create a ripple effect that reaches far beyond a single tree or a single harvest.

Steven harvesting fruit that will be donated to local organizations and community programs throughout Napa County.

Community Starts with Showing Up

One of the reasons we love this story is that it reflects something we see in Steven every day.

Whether he's helping a client navigate a real estate transaction or spending a weekend volunteering in the community, Steven approaches everything with a commitment to service and connection.

The St. Helena Community Gleaning Project is a reminder that meaningful change often starts with small actions. A few volunteers, a fruit tree, and a willingness to help can make a real difference for families throughout the community.

As Steven shared in the article, the project creates a win for everyone involved—homeowners, food banks, volunteers, and the broader community.

Proud to Be Part of This Community

We are grateful to have team members like Steven who invest their time and energy into making Napa Valley an even better place to live.

Congratulations to Steven on being featured in St. Helena Living, and thank you for helping strengthen the connections that make our community so special.

If you'd like to learn more about the St. Helena Community Gleaning Project, volunteer opportunities, or donating excess fruit from your property, we encourage you to connect with the local organizers and support their mission.

Contact EO&A today to schedule your free home value review.

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