Gleaning: A Time-Honored Tradition, A Modern Solution to Food Waste
For centuries, gleaning has been a practice deeply rooted in agricultural communities. Traditionally, it involved gathering leftover crops from fields after the harvest, ensuring that nothing went to waste. This time-honored tradition continues to hold immense significance today, offering a powerful solution to food waste and food insecurity. At Real Food CT, we’re proud to carry on this tradition through our gleaning and surplus pickup program.
The Importance of Gleaning
In a world where food waste is a growing concern, gleaning plays a crucial role in maximizing the use of valuable resources. It’s disheartening to think of perfectly good produce being left to rot in fields while so many in our community struggle to access nutritious food. Gleaning provides a win-win solution: it reduces waste for farmers and provides much-needed nourishment for our neighbors.
Learning from the Best: Inspiration from Leading Gleaning Organizations
To strengthen our own program, we’ve looked to established leaders in the field. Our team recently visited Boston Area Gleaners (BAG) and Hope’s Harvest (part of Farm Fresh Rhode Island), two premier gleaning organizations in the Northeast. These organizations have demonstrated the incredible impact that well-organized gleaning programs can have, and we’ve gained valuable insights from their best practices.
Real Food CT’s Gleaning and Surplus Pickup Program
Real Food CT is committed to ensuring that surplus food stays within our community. Here’s how we make it happen:
- Partnering with Local Farms: We collaborate with 15 farms in the region to collect surplus produce and gleaned crops.
- Efficient Logistics: With our refrigerated trucks, we are equipped to transport produce safely and efficiently.
- Food Safety: Our team is trained in food safety protocols to ensure that all produce is handled appropriately.
- Community Distribution: We work with over 15 food pantry partners to distribute the gleaned and surplus produce to individuals and families facing food insecurity.
- Food Rescue US Partnership: Our collaboration with Food Rescue US further expands our reach and impact.
Our Impact
In 2024, our gleaning and surplus pickup program resulted in the collection and donation of over 50,000 pounds of locally grown, fresh produce. This significant achievement highlights the vital role our program plays in:
- Reducing food waste
- Supporting local farmers
- Increasing access to healthy food
- Strengthening community partnerships
We are committed to expanding our efforts and continuing to make a positive impact on our community. Join us in our mission to bring locally grown, healthy food to those who need it most!
