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Grant Jones builds capacity by creating sustainable tools, processes, and outreach strategies that increase fresh, local produce available through Hopelink’s food programs.

On Monday, my first day of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate, I arrived at Hopelink with no expectations of the day but soon learned that I would be gleaning. We headed down to an unfamiliar location which was Oxbow Farms. I would have to learn on the job, and I would be mostly alone with only my other VISTA peer who was also new to this. There were 7 other volunteers, all of them experienced and willing to put their time and effort into gleaning. I can say confidently that everything went very well. The conditions of the day were mild with gray skies, everyone showed up on time, were efficient and finished early. It was an effective process with a swift demonstrations, handing out of equipment, harvesting, washing the vegetables before storing them.

As for my own performance, I thought there was room to reflect and improve. I felt like I did a good job with the actual harvesting. We harvested broccoli which involved a simple action of cutting the head of a broccoli off the plant. We then split up and I went to pull turnips out of the ground. I was surprised at the simplicity of the harvesting, but I know the challenging parts are the conditions and the repetition. As for the bad, I believe I could have been more social and communicated more. Sometimes I would go off in my own section and dissociate a little bit. In the future, I know I will lead a volunteer group, and it will be the most important for me to give clear directions and communicate.

Although it was a nice experience the purpose of the gleaning was to harvest food. At the end of our harvest, we gleaned 327 lbs. of radish, pak choi, and broccoli which were sent to various Hopelink locations. This made me feel proud as I know that the food was given to people in need.