About Glean America
Harvest together, nourish communities.
Our Mission
Every season, perfectly good crops go unharvested while families in our communities go without fresh food. Glean America exists to close that gap. We are a nonprofit platform that connects three groups who can solve it together: farmers with surplus crops, youth groups looking for meaningful service, and food banks working to feed their neighbors.
By making it simple for these partners to find and coordinate with each other, we help rescue food that would otherwise be wasted, give young people a hands-on way to serve, and deliver fresh produce to the people who need it most.
How the Gleaning Network Works
Three partners, one shared goal: fresh food for every family.
Farmers
Growers with surplus or unharvested crops open their fields to volunteer gleaners, and may qualify for federal and state tax deductions for what they donate.
Youth Groups
Scouts, churches, schools, 4-H, FFA, and other groups harvest the crops, earning service hours while learning where their food comes from.
Food Banks
Food banks, pantries, and shelters receive the fresh, locally-grown produce and get it to families who need it, often the same day it is picked.
Why Gleaning Matters
Gleaning, gathering leftover crops after a harvest, is one of the oldest forms of food sharing there is. It turns would-be waste into nourishment, keeps usable food out of landfills, and builds real connections between farms and the communities around them. For farmers, donated crops can also bring valuable tax benefits. For young people, it is a chance to do tangible good. For families, it means fresh fruits and vegetables on the table.
Questions? Reach us anytime at info@gleanamerica.org.