By Philicia Tonangoye
Image: Tangerines, via Bing (cc)
April 18, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – The Mexican fruit fly quarantine has reduced donations of fresh produce to local food pantries, since organizations such as Produce Good mainly rely on backyard harvests to help community members in need. Home growers are not allowed to move their backyard products in the 82-square-mile quarantine area, meaning that these organizations may have to import products from other parts of San Diego or take donations directly from people outside the quarantine area who willing to give.
The quarantine imposed by the state’s Department of food and Agriculture includes the cities of La Mesa, El Cajon, Lemon Grove, and Santee as well as Spring Valley, Bonita, and parts of San Diego. The fruit flies can infest over 50 different types of fruits and vegetables.
Since the quarantine was announced on March 5, Senior Gleaners had to cancel about 20 gleans that were already scheduled.
“We continue to pick outside of the quarantine zone,” said Lisa Lendgren, general manager at Senior Gleaners, in an email to East County Magazine. “The most highly impacted people are those who rely on food pantries within or very nearby those neighbourhoods.”
Pantries will certainly continue to offer other food, but there will be fewer freshly picked fruits from locals, as the organization is prohibited from picking any fruit within the Mexican Fruit Fly quarantine area.
“Since then, every request for a fruit pick is first checked against the map to determine if the property can be picked. If not, we send an email to the resident telling them we are not allowed to glean there and attach an informational flyer telling them the steps they need to take to dispose of their surplus fruit,” added Lindgren.
Although the San Diego Food Bank is not directly impacted by the fruit quarantine, demand is still increasing. Their direct partners are ordering considerably more food to keep pace with the growing demand and ensure they have enough to serve everyone who needs assistance, though their demand is more focused on basic staples such as milk, eggs, and even gas cards. Maintaining their promise in serving and making sure San Diegans get the food they need to thrive, the food bank is present for anyone who needs support.
People outside the quarantine zone who may have fresh fruit still on their trees can help by supporting pantries located inside the quarantine zone with fresh fruits. The following organizations are affected and accept food donations directly from the public; please call ahead to check on operating hours.
Abundant Grace Christian Church
5858 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92115
619-788-2027
Good Shepherd Ministry Bethlehem Food Pantry
772 S. Johnson Ave., El Cajon, CA 92020
619-490-3855
Santee Food Bank (within 1.5 miles of quarantine boundary)
9715 Halberns Blvd., Santee, CA 92071
619-889-6574
Abundant Grace Christian Church
5858 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92115
619-788-2027