Pickup truck filled with gleaned squash, peppers, and tomatoes

 

NORWAY — 2024 marks a year of collaboration, generosity, and impact as volunteers team up with local farms to bring fresh produce to those in need.

In a heartening effort to increase food access, volunteers from multiple organizations partnered with local farms across the Western Maine foothills this year to harvest and distribute over 10,000 pounds of surplus produce. Their hard work ensured that excess fruits and vegetables, which might otherwise go to waste, were distributed to food pantries and community meal sites, directly reaching individuals and families facing food insecurity. The top crops gleaned were corn, tomatoes, apples, and squash.

This initiative was made possible through the collective efforts of Western Maine Gleaners, a project of Maine Master Gardener Volunteers under the UMaine Extension Harvest for Hunger, Androscoggin Gleaners, Cumberland County Food Security Council, and Foothills Foodworks, a project of the Alan Day Community Garden and Community Food Matters. By combining resources, expertise, and sheer determination, these organizations worked hand in hand with local farmers to glean produce and make a tangible difference.

Gleaning, the age-old practice of collecting leftover crops after a harvest has become a vital tool in the fight against hunger and food waste. The fresh produce gathered not only nourishes community members but also strengthens connections between local farms and food access organizations.

“It’s incredible to see what can be accomplished when communities come together,” said Rocky Crockett from Alan Day Community Garden. “This collaboration not only helps get nutritious food to those who need it most but also reduces food waste and supports local agriculture.”

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With food insecurity continuing to challenge rural Maine communities, the partnership’s efforts demonstrate how innovation, teamwork, and a commitment to shared values can lead to meaningful change. As the project grows, organizers hope to inspire more volunteers, farms, and community partners to join in the mission.

The majority of the gleaned food is shared with pantries and meal sites within the community. To ensure there is no waste, Foothills Foodworks utilizes the shared-use, licensed commercial kitchen at Alan Day Community Garden to process the excess. Here, gleaned produce is transformed into value-added products, including ready-to-eat meals. Proceeds from selling these meals at Fare Share Food Co-op support critical community programs such as youth cooking and gardening education, nutrition workshops, food pantry meal distribution, on-site pantry management, and a subsidized farm share program.

For more information about volunteering opportunities or to support these efforts, visit the organizations’ websites or contact local coordinators. Together, we can continue building a stronger, more connected community.

Androscoggin Gleaners: AndroGleaners@gmail.com

Western Maine Gleaners/Cumberland County Food Security Council: adele@ccfoodsecurity.org

Maine Gleaning Network: https://linktr.ee/megleaningnetwork?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=39bb5706-5651-4000-843b-6de7614bb64e

Alan Day Community Garden: programs@alandaycommunitygarden.org

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