Upper Valley MEND’s gleaning program harvests surplus produce from farms, orchards, backyard gardens, and farmers markets. These fruits and vegetables go to families and individuals who would not otherwise have access to fresh, local produce. This program is made possible by the volunteers that help harvest the produce and the donors that provide the produce.

Gleaning

2025 Gleaning Statistics

  • 43,169 Pounds of Produce Gleaned

  • $149,518 Value of Gleaned Produce

  • 176 Gleaning Events

  • 403 Volunteer Hours

  • 52 Different Crops Harvested

Ready to glean? Make sure you’re registered as a volunteer first, then check out the calendar to see which gleans are available.

Gleaning Calendar

Upper Valley MEND Gleaning is made possible by the generosity of our over 40 gleaning partners. They are backyard growers, farmers, and orchardists that are committed to reducing food waste and providing fresh, local, nutritious food to those in need in our valley.

Partners

  • 38 Backyard Growers

  • 30 Farms and Orchards

Thank you to all our farmers for their ongoing support

Distribution

The true impact of this program begins once we leave the fields, and the van is full of produce. This fresh food goes directly to families and individuals primarily through the Community Cupboard and at migrant camp locations through our Mobile Produce Pantry.

  • 170 people served through the Mobile Produce Pantry

  • 3075 people served through the Community Cupboard during the gleaning season

Volunteers are key to the gleaning program’s success. Gleaning events are hosted at farms and orchards all over Chelan and Douglas counties, and all ages are invited to attend. (Children must be supervised.) Gleaning volunteers can join for one event, or weekly or even daily throughout the harvest season.

To learn more about gleaning volunteering contact gleaning@uvmend.org | 509.548.0408 ext. 108

Volunteer

Let us harvest and donate your excess crops. Even small household gardens and orchards can contribute. We glean from Leavenworth to Malaga!

We bring transportation, equipment, and volunteers (if needed) to harvest produce and distribute it to our neighbors in need.

By calling us, you are reducing food waste and helping feed your community fresh, local, nutritious food.

To learn more about hosting a gleaning event contact gleaning@uvmend.org | 509-699-7419

Host a Glean

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