Every year, ~20 billion pounds of surplus fruits and vegetables are left in the fields of America’s farms. Meanwhile, during the COVID-19 pandemic, 25.2% of Rhode Island residents are food insecure. Children, seniors, and working families struggling to make ends meet utilize a network of over 200 emergency food pantries and meal sites from Westerly to Woonsocket.
Hope’s Harvest RI mobilizes volunteers to collect unharvested produce and deliver it to needy populations. As an efficient and effective solution to the twin challenges of food waste and hungry people, farm-based food recovery (also known as “gleaning”) strengthens our local food system and makes our communities less dependent on commodity food shipped from thousands of miles away instead of what’s in our own backyard.
Farmers: Donate Food
Volunteers, fully insured and supervised by experienced staff, come to your farm and harvest crops that would otherwise go to waste. Gleaners work on farmers’ schedules, and donations are tax deductible.
Volunteers: Glean Food
Make a difference in your community by picking fresh fruits and vegetables for your neighbors in need. Gleaning volunteers register, sign waivers, and are then notified of upcoming gleaning trips to sign up.
Hunger Relief Agencies: Get Food
Receive fresh, nutritious, local fruits and vegetables for your guests. Produce is harvested with the highest quality and safety standards, and delivered on your schedule.
