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Programs & Initiatives...
Supporting Businesses...
Naturally Native Nursery
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The Northwest Ohio Gleaning Project Join Us: Volunteer! Gleaning volunteers are students, senior citizens, businesspeople, stay-at-home parents and many other individuals who visit area farm fields and orchards to collect excess produce that is distributed by the Toledo Seagate Food Bank to area agencies, food pantries and soup kitchens who feed the hungry throughout northwest Ohio. If you have a desire to work outside and are interested in helping feed the hungry, this is the project for you! No prior experience in gardening or farming is necessary. |
For more information on how to volunteer, please view and download: |
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Call us: |
419.386.2006 |
Email us: |
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To receive gleaning event notifications by email: |
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Follow us on Twitter: |
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If you wish to volunteer at the Toledo Seagate Food Bank: |
419.244.6996 |
Hunger is a community problem and can only be solved by the community. Attacking hunger is the first step to attacking poverty and building a better future for all. Offering fresh fruits and vegetables to the hungry ensures that families have access to nutritious food providing the nutrients that build strong bodies and minds; empowering young and old alike.
Gleaning is a second harvest that takes place when leftover crops are gathered and given to those who would otherwise not be able to afford them. The practice dates back to biblical times. Today, the charitable spirit of gleaning is alive and well as programs like the Northwest Ohio Gleaning Project connect volunteer harvesters (gleaners) with farmers and other food producers. The result – produce that would otherwise rot in the field is put to good use nourishing those who need it.
The Northwest Ohio Gleaning Project has had many opportunities to utilize excess produce and help the hungry. Here are some examples:
A tomato farmer in Wood County with produce in the field after mechanical pickers harvested the crop
A farmer in Lucas County, with beets, turnips and cabbage in the field as October was approaching
A cabbage producer in Erie County that received a reduced order for contracted cabbage.
Fallen apples needed to be removed so a Fulton County orchard could be mowed and cleaned for winter.
A small farm in Seneca County with excess cucumbers on a one acre plot
A farmer in Fulton County with carrots in the field after mechanical harvesters picked most of his contracted carrots
Gleaning depends on generous farmers and businesses willing to donate what would otherwise go to waste. The cost to the farmer or food producer is nothing, the donation is tax-deductable, and the farmer has a clean field for next year. Farmers and producers who have produce to donate can contact the gleaning project via email or phone.
To donate produce or food products...
Call us: |
419.386.2006 |
Email us: |
The requirement to be a volunteer and glean is simply the desire to help the hungry.
To volunteer...
Call us: |
419.386.2006 |
Email us: |
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To receive gleaning event notifications by email: |
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Follow us on Twitter: |
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Many students have a requirement to do community service hours. This is an excellent way to earn hours and enjoy time in the sunshine.
You do not have to volunteer for all events, just when you have time.
You can work a little, or a lot, everyone is welcome and appreciated.
You can bring you family or a group of fiends to help.
Most the produce is left in the fields so no cutting is required.
Dress for the weather and always bring gloves.
Wear comfortable shoes since you will be in the fields and susceptible to rough terrain.
Group leaders will show you where to sign in, where you will be working, what will be picked, where the restrooms, drinking water, totes and buckets are located, and where you can rest.
Liability waivers are signed by all that come out to glean the fields. Group leaders will explain the waiver and why it is necessary.
Many hands make short work, the pace is not too fast and you can talk to your friends and make new ones.
For those who cannot harvest produce in the field, there are other volunteer activities available at the Toledo Seagate Food Bank such as washing and packaging the fresh produce and packing food boxes.
If you wish to volunteer at the Toledo Seagate Food Bank...
Call: |
419.244.6996 |
Connect: |
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Our City in a Garden |
''Food needs are rising for many people across our community due to economic conditions. Therefore in mid-February, with over 100 community participants, we held our first City in a Garden forum to discuss how our area could plan, organize, and begin to meet this need effectively and sustainably. We aim to explore how expanded deployment of innovative growing systems can meet rising local food needs and better nutrition, particularly in food-short areas.''
''Experimental efforts with innovative growing systems have been underway for nearly two years across our region. Most importantly, these structures can be replicated in urban areas. Thank you for the work you do every day to help our community become more humane, livable and civil.''
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur
US House of Representatives, 9th District - Ohio
Regional/Urban Programs & Information
The City of Cincinnati Announces the Launch of the 2009 Urban Gardening Pilot Program
Sylvania Nuns are Feeding the Hungry Year-Round - by David Yonke of The Blade
Society of St. Andrew - Gleaning America's Fields, Feeding America's Hungry
Ohio State University Extension Urban Programs
Other Urban Progams
Wiki Sites
YVCC Yak Community Garden Home - Useful links to numerous resources under Assignment #1 and Assignment #2.
USDA Resources
Miscellaneous Links
