ABOUT US
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.
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, 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, 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, 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.
- Reach out to us: Looking for other ways to help? Please contact us.
CAN COMMUNITY OR CORPORATE GROUPS VOLUNTEER?
Yes! Please visit our service workday page to learn more about scheduling a service workday for your group.
HOW MUCH FOOD DOES BOSTON AREA GLEANERS GLEAN EACH YEAR?
In 2017, we gleaned over 635,000 pounds of 60 crop types from 50 farms in eastern Massachusetts. We distributed these nutritious fruits and vegetables to our partner hunger relief agencies that serve our food-insecure neighbors.
Since we began 2004, we have gleaned over 1.8 million pounds of fresh, local produce for the benefit of people in need. By 2019, we hope to capture 1 million pounds of crops every single year.
Since we began 2004, we have gleaned over 1.8 million pounds of fresh, local produce for the benefit of people in need. By 2019, we hope to capture 1 million pounds of crops every single year.
Who are Boston Area Gleaners' partners?
We currently partner with over 70 farms in eastern Mass, and the list is growing. If you are a farmer who wants to donate produce, click here to learn more.
With the help of our partner agencies, gleaned produce is distributed to 500+ hunger relief organizations in eastern Mass. If you work for a hunger relief agency that would like to receive produce, please click here.
With the help of our partner agencies, gleaned produce is distributed to 500+ hunger relief organizations in eastern Mass. If you work for a hunger relief agency that would like to receive produce, please click here.
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.