Washington Gleaning Network

The Washington Gleaning Network is a network of gleaning organizations throughout Washington state who are working to grow the local gleaning movement. Together, we are stronger as we work to support the great work that gleaners do, and ultimately get more fresh local food into the hands of those who need it most.

In July 2024 we had the opportunity to glean from the small farm, 21 Acres in Woodinville WA. More than 25 pounds of blueberries were harvested in conjunction with Harvest Against Hunger, PCC markets, Seattle Farmers Markets and Teen Feed.

On Saturday, July 20th, 2024, more than 20 people gathered in Bellingham, WA to pick blueberries for hunger relief alongside the Washington Gleaning Network and in partnership with Christ the King (CTK) Food Share & Farm.

This collaborative glean was organized by Hopelink at Food Bank Farm in Snohomish, WA in August 2024. More than 2,000 pounds of corn was harvested in collaboration with 5 organizations including Hopelink, Ballard Food Bank, Harvest Against Hunger, Foundation for Edmonds School District and the Lake Forest Park Rotary club.

In September 2024, UVMEND (Leavenworth, WA) hosted the Roma tomato glean. A farmer practicing growing for Heinz ketchup donated 5 acres to hunger relief!

FAQ

What is Gleaning?

Gleaning is the practice of collecting excess food from farms, gardens, and other sources to donate to those who need it. This can include food that is close to it’s “sell by” date or crops that have been harvested but are maybe to small, too big or the wrong shape for the market, but are perfectly edible.

Our History

The Washington Gleaning Network began as a brainstorm with AGO in 2021 on how to support the gleaning movement in a holistic way with regional or state-wide networks. The first pilot began in 2023 here in WA state between AGO and HAH. WA is particularly well suited with, as you will be aware, a very forward thinking hunger relief culture and some really robust agriculture. The gleaning movement is strong in WA state – where most have 3 or 5 or maybe 10 gleaning organizations, WA state has more than 40!`

What We Do

We connect gleaners to resources. We connect farmers to gleaners. We connect volunteers to opportunities. As a network, we are regularly learning about important gleaning topics like safety in the field, distributing foods and gleaning from the farmers point of view. During the harvest season, we get together and get our hands in the dirt and glean, bringing that food back to our communities. And we allow a space for gleaners to come together to support each other with their challenges and their strengths.

How Can I Connect to Gleaning Resources?

Check out the Gleaning Resources part of this site to see our growing collection of resources for gleaners.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter! Fill in the form below the map at the bottom of this page.

We are always looking for collaborative opportunities, to share resources and to connect folks together. So, please let us know when your organization needs help and we can work to redirect resources. Contact: gleaning@harvestagainsthunger.org

What We're Up To:

Upcoming Meetings

On Thursday, December 12th at 10am, we will chat with Billy McCarthy, Food Safety Project Manager of National Farmers Union (NFU), as he shares his expertise with food safety, tools and techniques for gleaners after harvesting produce. This meeting was cancelled in September and has been rescheduled for December.

On January 16th, 2025 at 10am, come have a conversation with Executive Director of Village Harvest, Craig Diserens. This discussion will give us a chance to pull back and see the big picture of where we fit in the larger food system/hunger relief system so that we can plan our path forward.

Come ready with your questions for Craig!