Gleaning

Photo of hands holding beets.

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

Photo of a gleaner holding brocolli.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!

Gleaning 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.

4 Corners Farm, Newbury
Adam’s Apple Orchard, Williston
Alchemy Gardens, Cuttingsville
Allen Cooper Farm, Wells
Barber Farm, Jericho
Blais Farm, Springfield
Browns Orchard & Farmstand, Castleton
Burnt Rock Farm, Huntington
Burtt’s Apple Orchard, Cabot
Caravan Gardens, Cuttingsville
Carl Etner, Montpelier
Champlain Orchards, Shoreham
Chapin Orchard, Essex
Clark Farm, Wells
Clear Brook Farm, Shaftsbury
Come Alive Outside, Rutland
Community Harvest of Central Vermont, Montpelier
Cortland Hill Orchard, Brattleboro
Deep Root Organic Cooperative, Johnson
Deer Ridge Farm, Guilford
Diggers Mirth Collective Farm, Burlingtion
Douglas Orchard, Shoreham
Dutches Farm, Castleton
Dwight Miller & Son Orchards, East Dummerston
Evening Song Farm, Cuttingsville
Full Belly Farm, Hinesburg
Green Mountain Harvest, Waitsfield
Green Mountain Orchards, Putney
Hacketts Orchard, South Hero
Half Pint Farms, Burlington
Happy Valley Orchard, Middlebury
Harlow Farm, Westminster
Harvest Hill Farm, Hardwick
Intervale Community Farm, Burlington
Jericho Settlers Farm, Jericho
Kings Orchard, Barre
Kingsbury Market Garden, Warren
Laughing Child Farm, Pawlet
Leach Road Farm, Saxtons River
Liberty Orchard, Brookfield
Lilac Ridge Farm, Brattleboro
Littlewood Farm, Plainfield
Mad Tom Orchard, East Dorset
Mendon Mountain Orchards, Mendon
Micro Farm at Rockpoint, Burlington
Mighty Food Farm, Pownal
Murray Acres Farm, East Ryegate
Old Athens Farm, Putney
Owl’s Head Farm, Richmond
Pete’s Greens, Craftsbury
Philo Ridge Farm, Charlotte
Picadilly Farm, Winchester
Pitchfork Farm, Burlington
Pomykala Farms, Grand Isle
Radical Roots Farm, Wallingford
Retreat Farm, Brattleboro
River Berry Farm, Fairfax
Riverbend Farm, Rochester
Salvation Farms, Morrisville
Sam Mazza Farm, Colchester
Scott Farm, Dummerston
Shaky Ground Farm, Charlotte
Shelburne Farms, Shelburne
Shelburne Orchard, Shelburne
SIT Community Garden, Brattleboro
Smith Farm, Cabot
Smokey House Center, Danby
Snug Valley Farm, East Hardwick
Sowing Peace Farm, Putney
Sugar Hill Farm, East Wallingford
Tanglebloom Glower Farm, Brookline
The Putney School, Putney
Tuberville, Milton
Upper Valley Haven, White River Junction
UVM Horticulture Farm, South Burlington
Vermont Cranberry Company, East Fairfield
Vermont Farmers Market -Rutland, Rutland
Vermont Organics Reclamation, Saint Albans
VT Youth Conservation Corps Farm, Richmond
Walker Farm, East Dummerston
Wellspring Farm, Marshfield
Wellwood Orchards, Springfield
Welsmere Farm, Wells
Wild Carrot Farm, Brattleboro
Wildwood Berry Farm, East Dorset
Willing Hands Inc., Lebanon
Woods Market Garden, Brandon
Yoder Farm, Danby

Other Local Gleaning Programs