The Vermont Foodbank has reached out to The Episcopal Church in Vermont about its Food Gleaning Program. The Food Bank currently has a high need for volunteers to harvest produce at local farms for Vermonters in need. This is a fun activity for volunteers of all ages. Gleaning does of course have a biblical background that could translate to an interesting learning or discussion opportunity. Is this something your parish might like to get involved with? More information about the program and how to sign up below:
The Vermont Foodbank Gleaning Program
What is Gleaning?
Gleaning is the act of harvesting and gathering surplus or “seconds” from farms. The produce we harvest is often top quality; other times, it has small blemishes or an irregular shape, but is otherwise delicious. The mission of the Vermont Foodbank is to gather and share quality food and nurture partnerships so that no Vermonter will go hungry. The Gleaning Program is a key part of this mission. Through gleaning we are able to collect fresh and nutritious food that might otherwise go to waste. It is then delivered to food shelves, meal sites, and senior centers throughout Vermont.
How to Get Involved
Please CLICK HERE to sign up for gleaning announcements. This is the best way to let us know your interests and availability. We send periodic email announcements to let volunteers know about upcoming gleans. We understand that you will participate whenever it makes the most sense for you. Some people make it a routine to glean every week, and others lend a hand once or twice a season. We just ask that you let us know you’re coming so we know to look for you at the farm, or to inform you if plans are changing.
Ways to Help
Many hands make a light work, and we always need more helping hands in the field! At times, we need help with other tasks such as sorting and bagging produce, delivering produce, collecting boxes and hanging posters. Whether you glean for one hour, or you write it into your calendar every week, we are most grateful for your help. We hear from gleaners that it is a fun, refreshing, and rewarding thing to do. Please bring family and friends –gleaners of all ages are welcome! Check out our gleaning calendar for a schedule of upcoming gleans.
Vermont Foodbank Gleaning Contacts
- Brattleboro Region, Hannah Pick, hpick@vtfoodbank.org
- Northern Region & Lamoille County, Andrea Solazzo, asolazzo@vtfoodbank.org
- Gleaning Program Manager, Michelle Wallace, mwallace@vtfoodbank.org
Gleaning Activities in other Regions
Our most active gleaning efforts are in the Lamoille Valley region and the greater Brattleboro area. On occasion we glean in other areas of the state as well. There are active gleaning groups in other regions of the state. Please see our website for links to other organizations that regularly glean in the Rutland, Burlington, Middlebury, Montpelier, and Upper Valley region.
The mission of the Vermont Foodbank is to gather and share quality food and nurture partnerships so that no one in Vermont will go hungry.