Let’s get as much available healthy food as possible to neighbors in need.
This fall, Real Food CT is inviting Master Gardeners to join our gleaning and farm surplus program—transforming unharvested produce into healthy meals for local families.
What is gleaning?
Gleaning harvests produce that would otherwise remain in the field—often because of timing, labor constraints, or cosmetic standards. With a trained volunteer crew, we pick, sort, and deliver that fresh food straight to community partners the same day.
Why your skills matter
As Master Gardeners, you understand plant maturity, quality, and handling. That knowledge helps us:
- Pick efficiently and gently to maintain shelf life
- Sort by ripeness/quality for pantry distribution
- Have an elevated level of awareness and respect for the farm and garden environments
Result: more high-quality food, moved faster.
The need—right here in Connecticut
Food insecurity affects 516,640 people in our state, including 1 in 6 children. Real Food CT delivered 100,000+ poundsof locally grown produce to 25 food pantries last season, and demand climbs as the harvest peaks September through November.
What volunteers do
- Harvest: apples, greens, squash, roots, and more at partner farms
- Sort & pack: quality check, pack crates, prep for transport
- Surplus runs (optional): pick up boxed produce for quick pantry drop-offs
When & where
- September–November, primarily weekday mornings (some afternoon options later in the fall)
- Farm sites across Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties
- Pantry partners throughout the region
- Join once or come often!
Training & what to bring
- On-site orientation covers safety, harvest technique, and quality standards
- Tools and packing supplies provided
- Bring water, sturdy closed-toe shoes, garden gloves, sun protection, and a hat
Master Gardener service hours
Gleaning typically aligns with MG volunteer service categories. Please confirm credit with your local coordinator; we’re happy to provide documentation of hours and activities.
Ready to help?
- Sign up for a gleaning shift: Volunteer sign-up link
- Questions or MG group day requests: sean@realfoodct.org
“Every hour in the field turns into real meals for our neighbors. Master Gardeners make us faster, smarter, and gentler with the food—so more of it reaches the table in great shape.” — Sean Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, Real Food CT
Thanks for bringing your plant wisdom to the harvest. Together, we’ll keep fresh, local produce flowing to people who need it most—across all three counties and beyond.
