Glean805 is the second joint effort between local gleaning groups throughout the 805 region including GleanSLO (a program of the SLO Food Bank), Santa Barbara’s Backyard Bounty, Santa Ynez Fruit and Veggie Rescue, FOODShare Ventura and Ventura County’s Branch of Food Forward to raise awareness of gleaning efforts across San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
Gleaning is the practice of collecting leftover or unused produce from farms, neighborhood backyards and farmer’s markets and sharing that produce with people in need. Between October 16, which is World Food Day and October 24, which is National Food Day, these groups will organize events for the public to get involved in the gleaning movement where they live. World Food Day is organized and promoted by United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to promote awareness around global food insecurity issues. National Food Day is promoted by the Center for Science in Public Interest and encourages people to eat “real” food instead of processed foods for health and well-being.
Here in the 805, we live in an area of agricultural abundance, yet there are many people that go hungry. Gleaning is an opportunity for communities to come together and help fight hunger right in their own backyards, while connecting with their neighbors, reducing food waste and creating a healthier community. Every year, millions of pounds of food go unharvested in fields and neighborhoods across our region. Volunteers and community partners are needed to help local gleaning groups capture this produce to help feed our communities.
Everyone is invited to contact their local gleaning group to get involved in events being organized in their county for Glean805:
- San Luis Obispo County
- GleanSLO will be organizing multiple gleans at commercial farms and backyards to rescue excess produce. Volunteers will meet the harvest leaders at the site and harvest for two hours. Produce collected will be distributed to families in need through the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County. Sign up at (gleanslo.org/harvestlist.php) or call (805) 835-3750.
- Santa Barbara County
- Backyard Bounty is organizing a fruit collection at the Santa Barbara Farmers Market at Santa Barbara and Cota streets between 8:30 -1:00. Bring your already-harvested fresh fruit and all produce collected will be donated directly to Salvation Army’s Santa Barbara Hospitality House. Please visit: (http://www.backyardbounty.org/volunteer.php) or call 805-967-5741 x 109.
- Santa Ynez Fruit and Veggie Rescue Veggie Rescue collects excess produce from local farms, farmers markets and backyards and distributes it directly to schools and organizations serving those in need, at no cost to the recipient. Please visit (http://www.syvfvr.org/) or call (805) 350-9154.
- Ventura County
- FoodShare Ventura accepts donations Monday through Friday 8 am to 4 pm and hosts regular opportunities to volunteer. For more information please visit: (http://www.foodshare.com/GetInvolved/Gleaning.aspx) or call 805-983-7100.
- Food Forward has close to 30 volunteer-powered events each month in backyards, farms, ranches, farmers markets and wholesale recovering about 20,000 pounds per month. To register (https://foodforward.org/volunteer/sign-up-to-volunteer/) or call 805-630-2728.
About the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County:
The Food Bank Coalition is a non-profit, tax exempt organization, serving all of San Luis Obispo County through food distribution programs and a network of community partners. Their mission is to alleviate hunger in San Luis Obispo County and build a healthier community. Last year they distributed nearly 6 million pounds of food to help our neighbors facing with hunger. Nearly half of the food they distributed was fresh produce. To learn how you can help, please visit www.slofoodbank.org.