ABOUT US
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We organize volunteer trips to local farms to harvest high-quality fruits and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste. We distribute the nutritious produce to agencies serving families facing food insecurity.
Together, we can build a sustainable supply chain of healthy produce from local farms to people in need. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Gleaning?
Gleaning is the act of collecting surplus crops from farmers' fields. In ancient times, landowners invited peasants onto their fields after the main harvest to take what was left over. Gleaning was a method of improving food security for the poor.
Today, Boston Area Gleaners practices the same method. Since 2004, we have organized groups of volunteers to harvest surplus crops from local farms. We distribute the high-quality, nutritious fruits and vegetables to food banks, pantries, and meal programs.
Today, Boston Area Gleaners practices the same method. Since 2004, we have organized groups of volunteers to harvest surplus crops from local farms. We distribute the high-quality, nutritious fruits and vegetables to food banks, pantries, and meal programs.
Why do crops go to waste?
Farming is unpredictable. Weather, pests, and market conditions make growing food an imprecise science, so farmers plant extra to ensure they will have enough produce to sell throughout the year. When crops flourish, farmers might not be able to sell all of the food.
Up to 20% of the food grown on farms is never harvested. Many farmers would donate this surplus themselves, but cannot afford the labor to harvest and distribute it.
Up to 20% of the food grown on farms is never harvested. Many farmers would donate this surplus themselves, but cannot afford the labor to harvest and distribute it.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
- Volunteer: Check out our volunteer page for opportunities to help out.
- Contribute: Support our work by making a donation.
- Farmers and Agencies: Sign up to donate crops or receive gleaned produce.
- Reach out to us: Looking for other ways to help? Please contact us.
...And spread the word! It makes a difference every time you tell a friend or colleague about how gleaning supports our community.
CAN COMMUNITY OR CORPORATE GROUPS VOLUNTEER?
Due to COVID-19 precautions, we have suspended private group workdays for the 2020 season. We hope to reintroduce them in the future!
HOW MUCH FOOD DOES BOSTON AREA GLEANERS rescue EACH YEAR?
In 2019, we rescued more than one million pounds of produce. We distributed these nutritious fruits and vegetables to our partner hunger relief agencies that serve our food-insecure neighbors. To learn more about out impact check out our 2019 Impact Report!
Since we began 2004, we have gleaned over 3.5 million pounds of fresh, local produce for the benefit of people in need. We hope to continue to capture more crops every single year.
Since we began 2004, we have gleaned over 3.5 million pounds of fresh, local produce for the benefit of people in need. We hope to continue to capture more crops every single year.
Who are Boston Area Gleaners' partners?
We currently partner with over 80 farms in eastern Mass, and the list is growing. If you are a farmer who wants to donate produce, click here to learn more.
We also parter with over 50 direct distribution agencies. With the help of our partner agencies, gleaned produce is distributed to 2000+ hunger relief organizations in eastern Mass. If you work for a hunger relief agency that would like to receive produce, please click here.
We also parter with over 50 direct distribution agencies. With the help of our partner agencies, gleaned produce is distributed to 2000+ hunger relief organizations in eastern Mass. If you work for a hunger relief agency that would like to receive produce, please click here.
HOW CAN I STAY CONNECTED?
How does covid-19 affect boston area gleaners' activities?
This current public health crisis calls for us to be stringent in our health & safety measures. At the same time, disruptions to the economy and food supply chain as a result of COVID-19 mean that our work is more important now than ever.
Our on-farm gleaning this season has been re-engineered in accordance with state and CDC guidelines to keep our volunteers, staff, and community safe. Please review our COVID-19 Volunteer Protocols to learn more.
As part of our relief efforts, we are also contracting with the USDA through their Farmers to Families Food Box Program to distribute thousands of pre-packed boxes of produce per week to hunger relief partners in the region.
Visit our COVID-19 Page to learn more about our response.
Our on-farm gleaning this season has been re-engineered in accordance with state and CDC guidelines to keep our volunteers, staff, and community safe. Please review our COVID-19 Volunteer Protocols to learn more.
As part of our relief efforts, we are also contracting with the USDA through their Farmers to Families Food Box Program to distribute thousands of pre-packed boxes of produce per week to hunger relief partners in the region.
Visit our COVID-19 Page to learn more about our response.
BOSTON AREA GLEANERS DIVERSITY STATEMENT
We expect that the board and staff of our organization will consist of people who are committed to addressing food insecurity. Given the diversity of people impacted by food insecurity, we aspire and make every reasonable effort to develop a board, staff, and volunteer base that reflects that diversity. We believe that such diversity will strengthen our organization, enhance our decision making and accountability to the mission, and build and broaden the community of volunteers and funders, whose participation is so essential to our shared success.
We expect that the board and staff of our organization will consist of people who are committed to addressing food insecurity. Given the diversity of people impacted by food insecurity, we aspire and make every reasonable effort to develop a board, staff, and volunteer base that reflects that diversity. We believe that such diversity will strengthen our organization, enhance our decision making and accountability to the mission, and build and broaden the community of volunteers and funders, whose participation is so essential to our shared success.