The Tradition of Gleaning
Gleaning is the act of collecting leftover crops from farmers' fields after they have been commercially harvested or from fields where it's not economically profitable to harvest. Some cultures promoted gleaning as an early form of helping those in need. The practice dates back to biblical times when, in the Old Testament, farmers were told not to pick their fields and vineyards clean, but instead to leave the edges for orphans, widows and travelers.
Today, food gets left in the field for a variety of reasons. Mechanical harvesting, for example, misses a lot in the picking process. Farmers may produce more than they can use or sell and too often, crops aren't "appealing" enough for consumers at the supermarket.
Thankfully, gleaning is making a comeback. "The statistics are that 96 billion pounds of food are left [in the field, which then] goes to waste in this country," says Linda Tozer of the Society of St. Andrew, an organization that coordinates farmers around the Southeast and Western United States.
Each year, tens of millions of pounds of produce are salvaged and given to those in need at no cost.
Today, food gets left in the field for a variety of reasons. Mechanical harvesting, for example, misses a lot in the picking process. Farmers may produce more than they can use or sell and too often, crops aren't "appealing" enough for consumers at the supermarket.
Thankfully, gleaning is making a comeback. "The statistics are that 96 billion pounds of food are left [in the field, which then] goes to waste in this country," says Linda Tozer of the Society of St. Andrew, an organization that coordinates farmers around the Southeast and Western United States.
Each year, tens of millions of pounds of produce are salvaged and given to those in need at no cost.
Continuing the Tradition at the Farmers' Market
Farmers at the Monroe Farmer’s Market have participated in gleaning since the market started in 2008. Our farmers demonstrate kindness, caring and generosity through the practice of donating produce from their stands each week, to the Monroe Food Pantry.
You too, can contribute non-expired, non-perishable goods or fresh produce that you've just purchased at the weekly market. Cash contributions should be made directly to the Food Pantry.
You too, can contribute non-expired, non-perishable goods or fresh produce that you've just purchased at the weekly market. Cash contributions should be made directly to the Food Pantry.