Gleaning
The Vermont Foodbank operates the state’s largest gleaning program. Gleaning is the act of harvesting excess vegetables from farm fields. Oftentimes the produce is top quality. Other times it may be irregularly shaped or has small blemishes. The Vermont Foodbank’s Gleaning Program works with over 600 volunteers to harvest and gather produce that may otherwise go to waste. This type of food rescue enables the Foodbank to provide healthy, local food to Vermonters who are at risk of hunger.
Each year, we distribute approximately 465,000 pounds of fresh, local produce to Vermonters through food shelves, meal sites, senior centers, housing sites, schools and hospitals throughout the state.
How to Get Involved
We need your help gleaning at area farms this season! The Vermont Foodbank is prioritizing the health of our staff and volunteers by requiring masks, gloves, and strong social distancing measures.
Gleaning is a fun, family-friendly volunteer opportunity and a great way to spend time on our beautiful Vermont farms. Some people make it a routine to glean every week, and others lend a hand once or twice a season. Please register below as a gleaning volunteer and we’ll send you email announcements about upcoming gleans.
Interested in Learning More? Contact Us.
Kimberly Williams
Associate Manager Community Engagement – Rutland Region
802-461-3259
kwilliams@vtfoodbank.org
Kyle Weatherhogg
Community Engagement Coordinator – Burlington Region
802.558.3495
Kweatherhogg@vtfoodbank.org
Zach Hebert
Associate Manager Community Engagement
Southern Region
802-989-8739
zhebert@vtfoodbank.org
Statewide Gleaning and Community Engagement
Andrea Solazzo
Director of Community Engagement
802-917-1283
asolazzo@vtfoodbank.org
Thank You, Farmers!
The Vermont Foodbank works with approximately 80 farms throughout the state. We glean with the help of volunteers primarily in the Chittenden County region and the greater Brattleboro area. Our drivers pick up produce from farms across the state on a regular basis. We are happy to work with farmers to schedule a pick-up or coordinate gleaning efforts in the fields.
If you are a farmer and have a large amount of produce already harvested and ready to be picked-up please call our Operations Department at 802-477-4107 or email Alison Friedkin at afriedkin@vtfoodbank.org.
Other Local Gleaning Programs
To connect with other gleaning organizations, please contact:
Community Harvest of Central Vermont