Around the globe, one of the leading causes of malnutrition is food insecurity. The term food insecurity refers to the lack of regular access to healthy and nutritious foods needed for growth and development, as defined by the World Food Program, USA.
The founders of the Gleaning Project, Jerry and Jan Althoff, understood the severity of food insecurity within America and began an effort to make a difference. “Gleaning” means to collect something, bit by bit or through various sources. The Gleaning Project takes in excess food products from farms, markets, grocery stores and bakeries and redistributes the goods to those in need of food. By gleaning excess fare from various sources, not only is the project helping reduce food insecurity, but also reducing food waste.
Through personal experience, founders the Althoffs came face-to-face with the impacts of not knowing where your next meal is coming from. In 2006, Jerry and Jan set out to the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota on a mission trip. Subsequently, the pair found themselves profoundly moved by the effects food insecurity had on entire populations.
Jerry and Jan went on to begin an initiative in 2009 with the hope to make a difference. With the help of the Society of St. Andrew, the Adams County Gleaning Network emerged. After work at their greenhouses, Jerry and Jan worked on their initiative until it became so successful that they could no longer run their business and the project simultaneously.
The South Central Community Action Program, based in Gettysburg, adopted the project in 2013, and by 2014, the Gleaning Project expanded to Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
Jerry and Jan Althoff – Image from thegleaningproject.org
The Gleaning Project has acquired a network of farms and other businesses from which they are able to glean excess food. After receiving the food, it is placed into refrigeration units to ensure freshness until it reaches consumers. Anyone who is in need of food is encouraged to visit one of the produce stands set up on 533 S. Main St. in Chambersburg or 153 N. Stratton St. in Gettysburg.
The Gleaning Project also provides food products to non-profits and other organizations such as senior living facilities and equal housing opportunities. There are no requirements to receive food or utilize produce stands and anyone in need is urged to visit a produce stand or contact the organization at [email protected].
But wait, there’s more! Not only does the project provide food, but the website is an excellent resource for nutrition information, produce calendars, recipes and much more. Located in the upper right hand corner of the Gleaning Project homepage, there are tabs to their blog and recipes. Within the blog forum, readers can find posts on a variety of topics including food holidays, educational content and seasonal recipes.
