End of Season Volunteer Appreciation!

Thank you to all of our volunteers for your hard work this year! We would not be able to move millions of pounds of food each year without your passion and work ethic. We hope to celebrate each and every one of you in person soon, but until then, we hope you enjoy this collection of recipes from fellow volunteers, staff and board members. Hopefully some of these delicious recipes can be made for the next in-person potluck! 

RECIPE COLLECTION

​What sharing food means to our Executive Director: 

I love to cook. I always have. I grew up in a house with parents who both worked full time which meant that by middle school my Mom and I had a deal—whoever got home first, made dinner.  

The menu was laid out days in advance and all the ingredients were in the fridge. I followed the recipes. While my cooking skills have evolved over the years, I have always been a planner: figure out the menu, gather the ingredients, prepare the meal. Until now. 

As a Gleaner my process and meticulous tendencies have been turned on their head. 

Here at Stonefield there is always a supply of fresh produce available for staff (and I have a kitchen next to my office!). I wander into the back of the cooler, see what’s there and figure out what to make. No menu. No planning. Rarely a recipe. Sometimes it’s a colossal failure, but often it’s a beautiful meal we share as a team. A nice respite from our busy days. 

- Usha 

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​Last but not least, we are so excited to announce our top ten volunteers for the 2021 season! These are the volunteers that have shown up the most throughout the season. They've worked in all kinds of weather, impressed us with their enthusiasm and dedication, and encouraged everyone around them to embody their Gleaner spirit! 

10. John Trombetta 
We love having John on our Wednesday packs! He is always in a great mood and very calm, helping things run smoothly even with pallets coming in and out of the greenhouse. He also has some great Spotify playlists!

9. Sarah Brown
​Sarah is great to have in the field and on the packing line, always knowing intuitively what's next and keeping the work moving. We love working alongside her - we always have great conversations!

8. Gavin Whitelaw
​Gavin is one of our star apple pickers and ladder climbers! He was a staple at the height of orchard season, and a pleasure to have at our grocery packs as well. 

7. Gayle Richardson
​Gayle's humor never goes unnoticed, keeping us all laughing and on our toes throughout the day. She is also so welcoming to new volunteers, showing them what to do, answering their questions, and making them feel at home. 

6. Marianne White
​Marianne is such a joy to work with, and always brings the sunshine with her to Stonefield! She is an amazing person to chat with, and her partnership with the Gleaners goes back to our very start in Arlington! 

5. Ellen Kisslinger
​When our 2021 apprentices first joined the team at the start of the summer, they were convinced that Ellen was a BAG employee with how much they saw her. And her recycled onion bag crafts are unforgettable!

​4. Helen Palmer
​Helen is always a delight to have on pack days and gleaning trips, and takes the lead at the front of the Wednesday assembly line, setting the pace for the rest of us. Her mince pies are the best around!

​3. Laura Angotti
​Laura is a powerhouse and a star gleaner. She can be counted on to always jump in wherever she is needed. No one can close boxes as fast as her—staff included!

2. Allyson Miller
​Allyson is an absolute hoot! She is always fired up and ready to go as soon as she arrives, and makes the time fly with her witty humor. 

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1. Top volunteer of the year: Valerie Polk!
​We can alway count on Val and her can-do attitude to handle anything the day throws at her—true to the Gleaner spirit! We are all truly grateful for Valerie’s commitment to this work and to everyone who supports it. ​
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Thank you again to everyone who plays a part in this work and shares our commitment to getting healthy food where it's needed most. We hope to see you all soon!