Our Gleaning Program

Harvesting Goodness, Building Community

At Dairy Creek, we believe in the power of community and collective effort to make a positive impact. Our Gleaning Program, established in 2013, is a testament to the strength that comes from working together. We’ve created a vibrant community of volunteers, or Harvesters, who glean excess produce from local owners to donate to food pantries and other locations in western Washington County.

How It Works

For Landowners

If you have extra produce, you can give back to the community by inviting our Harvesters to come and harvest it. We provide all the necessary equipment, including sturdy cardboard boxes. You can choose to keep some of the harvest, and any surplus is donated to those in need.

Request Gleaning

For Harvesters

As a Harvester, you play a crucial role in helping gather the produce and sorting and weighing the results. The best food goes directly to local pantries, ensuring that our community receives top-quality, fresh produce. The next best goes to Harvesters, who collaboratively decide how to distribute the “almost best” fruit among themselves. As a Harvester, you’ll be part of a supportive community, making decisions together and sharing in the joy of giving.

We prioritize the safety of our community. Harvesters must sign volunteer waivers to ensure everyone’s well-being, backed by our liability insurance coverage.

Become A Harvester

Empowering Leaders

Thanks to the CEP award we received in 2018, we’ve established a Gleaning Leadership Training Program. This initiative is designed to empower individuals interested in taking on leadership roles within the gleaning program. Join us, and let’s grow together!

Giving Back to Our Community

So far in 2023, we have gleaned and donated 4383 pounds of food. The goods harvested from our gleans find their way to several local food pantries and other locations, including:

Your support makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors. Join us in supporting our community through the Gleaning Program.