Food Forward- Farmers Market Recovery Gleaning Opportunity


Started in August 2012, the program couldn’t be simpler: our volunteer Glean Teams distribute empty boxes to the farmers and then collect the filled boxes of unsold fresh produce. The volunteers weigh the donations and immediately upon collection, we distribute to local agencies (all 501.c.3 non-profits located within 10 miles of each market). The receiving agencies pick up on site and pass it on to their clients within 1 – 3 days. The farmers receive a tax deduction for their donation and local non-profits receive fresh free produce for the people they serve.

With 128 farmers markets held on a weekly basis across Los Angeles County, Food Forward’s new Farmers Market Recovery Program, now operating at Santa Monica (Wednesdays, Sundays), Hollywood, Studio City, Mar Vista, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Larchmont, West Hollywood, Culver City, and Torrance (Tuesdays) markets, offers the only formal market-endorsed donation system for farmers wanting to help fight hunger with their unsold produce.

With collections happening in only 11 markets each week, we are averaging 25,000 pounds of fresh free produce per month!

Check out Food Forward‘s work or how to Volunteer

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