Key Points Even when large amounts of summer squash, cucumbers, and other prolific vegetables are being donated by local gardeners, food pantries will still gladly accept the same produce from commercial growers because of its higher quality. Distribution is often the greatest barrier to providing…
The gleaning coordinator works to network with interested stakeholders, partners, and potential volunteers while showcasing accomplishments. Outreach, engagement, recruitment, and retention are the building blocks to a sustainable volunteer relationship. OUTREACH A successful gleaning program is reliant on a few invested volunteers and lots of…
The gleaning program has grown fast as the community recognizes what Kitsap Harvest does and the impacts it is able to make. We’ve only scratched the surface for pounds donated, and accessing those in need. Much of the information referring to marketing and visibility are…
Farmer’s markets are an ideal place from which to glean and if you visit often you’ll soon become a familiar face to the vendors and the Market Manager. Markets are a dichotomy of foodies, enthusiasts, and folks just beginning to take part in the local…
Kitsap Harvest made its first engagement with possible glean sites at the Farmer’s Markets. We handed out our tri-fold brochure with a detachable door hanger or our door hangers. We asked people to share these in their neighborhoods, or anywhere they saw excess food such…
Food Bank Gardens Kitsap County is lucky to have three food banks that sustain gardens: Bremerton Foodline, North Kitsap Fishline, and South Kitsap Helpline. Purchased in 2010, Helpline enjoys a particularly voluptuous nursery and is run by Master Gardeners, staff, and volunteers. A portion of…
During the second year of the program, Kitsap Harvest created 39+ new community partners. Most of these partners were accrued by providing education and gleaning resources to the staff and volunteers. We reached out to programs such as Kitsap Youth Leadership, WIC, Olalla Recovery Center,…
OUTREACH Start by attending events, coalitions, networks, and organizations that focus on food access. Farmer’s markets are an excellent place to begin having these conversations with farmers, the Master Gardeners volunteers, and many interested communities members growing their own food. The AmeriCorps member should work…
In your program’s first year, recruit volunteers in the community at gardening events, farmers markets, and churches. You can find out about these opportunities by researching upcoming events and scheduling tabling space to recruit from these locations. Contact schools as many have service hour requirements. …
When you first start your program, you will want to reach out to the media to raise awareness about your program. If you are in a larger organization like Hopelink, work with the communication team to harness their expertise and already established relationships with media…