for more information, or to let us know if you have something to glean, our e-mail is helpingharvest@gmail.com....
How Much so Far.....
As of 10/17/09, over 7886 lbs of food has been gleaned in Franklin and Hampshire Counties.
Plenty more where that came from!
The USDA estimates that 20% of all food grown in this country is wasted because it is either missed during mechanical harvesting or is not commercially viable.
Gleaners Today
Join us! Click on the Photo to Volunteer
Gleaners yesterday, gleaners today....
Gleaning is the act of collecting leftover crops from farmers' fields after they have been commercially harvested or on fields where it is not economically profitable to harvest. Some ancient cultures promoted gleaning as a way to maximize the fruits of the fields whether it be grapes or vegetables or fruit. Gleaning is the second to last step in the cycle of food. The seed is planted, nurtured, harvested and what is left over is gleaned and distributed. Gleaning continues to be a way to feed the world.
What are these people doing??
The Gleaners, Francois Manet, 1857
OUR SPONSORS
This project is sponsored by various groups in western Mass including Rachael's Table in Springfield, ValleyLocavore in Northampton, the Franklin County Task Force of Franklin County and The Food Bank. Jessica Harwood of Rachael's Table began the project several years ago.