Before you ask, it's not a new face peel to take years off your face. Gleaning is actually the process of gathering the leftover or excess crop on farms. This food that would otherwise be throw away, given to the animals, or left to rot is now getting and giving a second chance. Didn't see that one coming did ya?
Each year about 40% of food in the United States is wasted. Most of which is still good to eat. Gleaning is one step in the right direction to reduce the amount of food waste each year. And the food is being put to good use too. Since most gleaning is done on a small, local scale, the food goes directly to food pantries and to those who need it the most. Collecting cans and pasta is great, but most of those people also need fresh, nutritious produce. Some have to choose between having a nutritious meal or paying their rent and medical bills.
One gleaning initiative in Maine called Healthy Acadia has been gleaning for a couple years now and has been consistently supplying local families with fresh foods at its local food pantries. And they don't stop there. Healthy Acadia wants to have fresh foods accessible to everyone, so nearly half of the gleaned food goes to schools and apartment complexes so elderly residents can have their fair share of nutritious meals.
Gleaning is just one of the many ways to help reduce food waste and food insecurity. Find your way to help the community by going to our Take Action page today! Glean on!
