Cache Gleaning Team Committed to Addressing Food Insecurity and Food Waste
The Cache Community Gleaning Team is a student-driven program run through the Utah State University Center for Community Engagement. Founded in 2019 by two Dietetics students looking to make a difference in their community, the program’s purpose is to gather excess fruit and vegetables from private tree owners in the Cache County area to give back to community members in need. Donations are distributed through the Cache Food Pantry, Student Nutrition Access Center (SNAC) pantry at USU, and Cooperative Extension.
The Gleaning Team is able to harvest fruit for free with their crews of student volunteers. Tree owners and volunteers can keep some produce for themselves, however, most is given away. Many of the tree owners are older community members who are no longer able to harvest their fruit. Participating private tree owners have shared that they appreciate the help, the opportunity to give back, and the social interaction.
Mikenna DeBruin, a Sophomore, majoring in Conservation and Restoration Ecology & Communication Studies shared about her experience “I enjoy the process of gleaning because it provides a means for me to get outside and give back to the community. Especially with the pandemic, a lot of people have fallen on hard times. If I am able to give back to the community and fight food insecurity, then I am more than happy to do so. Gleaning is like therapy for me, and it is a means of sustenance for others.”
Last year, the team engaged nearly 300 unique volunteers, and served at 98 different locations. The Gleaning Team has recovered almost 8,000 pounds of fruit, vegetables, and more this year.
The team is a great opportunity to volunteer outdoors in a safe environment during COVID-19, as well as engage with the community and help reduce food insecurity and food waste. Currently, volunteers are required to wear a face mask and maintain social distance. Hand sanitizer and disinfectant are used regularly.
Charles Miller, Gleaning Coordinator, said apple picking is a great autumn date experience and this year the team is offering the chance to pick and keep apples for free. The date nights will be smaller, intimate weekday opportunities, and will be hosted until the end of the season in late October. See sign up and contact information below.
More Details and Contact Information
You can find out more on Facebook, or on Instagram. Questions can be emailed to usugleaningteam@aggies.usu.edu.
Community members interested in having their trees or gardens gleaned can sign up at: is.gd/gleaningyourtrees.
Interested Community members can sign up and volunteer to pick fruit or vegetables.
More information is available at USU Center for Community Engagement.
