WAYNESBORO – Waynesboro Rotarians learned about a south central Pennsylvania program that redistributes fruits and vegetables that aren’t sellable to people in need.
Natalie Sinclair, director of The Gleaning Project of South Central Pennsylvania, said the project is a component of of South Central Community Action Programs and serves Franklin and Adams counties. Its main mission is to “rescue fruits and vegetables that otherwise would rot in farmers’ fields and to redistribute that food to persons who struggle with food insecurity.”
The Gleaning Project obtains the food in three main ways – through in-field gleans where volunteers harvest leftover produce in the farmers’ fields, by obtaining leftovers from local markets and from people who donate excess food from their backyard gardens.
The program, based in Gettysburg and Chambersburg, maintains free produce stands and also delivers to 91 community partners such as senior centers, schools and shelters. Last year, 306 volunteers helped collect 957,965 pounds of produce that served 13,180 persons. Donations came from 146 farms along with the markets and backyard gardeners.
Sinclair said an estimated 11.4 percent of Franklin County residents and 10.3 percent of Adams County
residents experience food insecurity. The Gleaning Project is funded by donations and grants, Sinclair said.
Volunteers are always welcome. The organization has been able to add food storage capacity in Franklin County and hopes to expand its operations here. For information, readers may check thegleaningproject.com.
