More Info


The Gleaning Project is a volunteer program of Harvest Pierce County and the Pierce Conservation District that reduces food waste by harvesting unsalable produce from local farms and residential fruit trees. The bounty is then donated to hunger relief organizations such as food banks increasing access, availability, and awareness of healthy produce to underserved populations in Pierce County.

    The Gleaning Project continues to grow and is looking to partner with more farms this season.

    Benefits

    Our number one priority is to support local farmers and the Pierce County agricultural community. We want our local farms to thrive and succeed by selling all produce - volunteers only step in to harvest or cull produce farmers cannot sell or use. Working with the Gleaning Project can clear a field for an additional planting, harvest excess to allow for additional fruiting (as with squash and beans), or cut the amount of residual organic material tilled under. Additionally, all produce is donated into the emergency food system. We know how hard farmers work, and we do our best to support our partners and make the donation process easy and mutually beneficial.
      • Simplicity: Gleaning volunteers can work with your schedule. Whether you need rejected produce culled, a whole pallet picked up, or multiple fields harvested with 30 volunteers, we will work with you to find the easiest way to remove your excess. The coordinator will also check in via phone or email throughout the season at the farmer's preference and convenience.
      • No Liability: Farmers that work with the Gleaning Project are not liable for potential damage from their crop or to volunteers. Produce donated through the Gleaning Project is covered by the Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act and volunteers are covered by Pierce Conservation District insurance.
      • Public Outreach: We encourage volunteers and community members to support our partner farms. Hosting gleaning events on your farm strengthens community connections and visibility. Partners are also marketed at all gleaning events, in outreach materials, and news articles.
      • Get food to those in need: We donate all harvested and culled produce to the emergency food system. If a farmer is willing, we like to allow volunteers to take home one serving of produce each to taste what they harvested!
      • Tax Write Off: All farmers receive a donation receipt which can be used as a tax write off.

      Contact Us Today!

      If you are interested in working with the Gleaning Project, contact Devon Kerr (Program Manager):

      Email: DevonK@piercecd.org

      Phone:253-290-8232

      Register your Crop Online

      Thank you to our Partner Farms: Early Bird Farm, Mother Earth Farm, the Farm at Franklin Pierce, Food is Free Tacoma, and many more.