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Gleaning — harvest surplus from farms & backyards
Modern gleaning networks recover 100M+ lbs/year. Volunteers harvest what farms can't sell (or can't afford to pick) and route it directly to food banks.
Reviewed by Carlos Hernández · Third-generation orchardistLast reviewed 2026-02-25 · corrections log
Get started as a volunteer
Sign up with a local gleaning organization or register on FoodPulse Urban Harvest. Most groups need 3-4 hours on a Saturday morning.
Get started as a farm
Contact a gleaning nonprofit before harvest. They handle volunteer coordination, transport and any food-safety documentation.
Sources
- National Gleaning Project
- ReFED Insights Engine
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