What is gleaning?
Gleaning is the act of collecting leftover food from farmers’ fields after they have harvested and is an ancient biblical practice meant to help feed the poor. The principle of gleaning can also be applied to smaller gardens and fields in order to reduce food waste and help alleviate hunger.
Why glean?
Every year enormous amounts of food from private trees and gardens goes to waste while food insecurity and poor nutrition remains a problem in our community. Gleaning is a way of using our communities valuable food resources more efficiently. It is also a great community building activity, and a source of self-reliance for those gleaners who may struggle with food insecurity themselves.
Who are the volunteers?
Anyone is welcome to glean with us! Those working with GleanProvo! may choose to glean for a number of reasons. These individuals and families may be seeking to help the needy, learn about gardening, meet other community member, or find affordable ways to feed their families, for example.
What will we do for you?
Our main service is to relieve you of excess fruit/produce from your trees/garden that would otherwise go to waste. We understand that as much as you love this food and want to use it, sometimes harvest season can be plentiful to the point of being overwhelming. If you find yourself with an overabundant crop, we would be happy to harvest the extra so that it can go to good use.
How will the food be used?
The food that we glean will be distributed in a number of ways. The volunteers that come to pick your produce will be allowed to take a portion of the food home for themselves and their family. A proportion of the food, 30-50% depending on the quantity, will be donated to local food banks and shelters, including Provo Community Action, Food and Care Coalition and Center for Women and Children in Crisis. Also depending on how much food we pick, we may also distribute the food through local LDS wards and stakes as well as donations to individual families in need that volunteers identify.
