Harvesting Hope: MEND’s gleaning program feeds the Wenatchee Valley
Volunteer Chad Horton gleaned apricots for the MEND gleaning program in July. Gleaning shifts usually run about 2 hours. The amount of volunteers on a glean depends on the how large the harvest is expected to be.
Gleaning is an important part of keeping the Community Cupboard stocked with food. Local orchardists, farmers and backyard gardeners call when they have excess produce, and Upper Valley MEND’s gleaning coordinator, Alana Springer, harvests the produce, with the help of volunteers if needed.
“Our program is unique because it’s pretty longstanding and we have many committed volunteers who come to a lot of gleans,” says Alana. “And we live in such a breadbasket—there is so much food here.”
MEND’s unique gleaning program
The gleaning program is also unique because the Community Cupboard has the ability to handle a lot of produce, thanks to a refrigerated van, a large walk-in refrigerator and an entire food programs team to help support it. Since it is so well-equipped, it can also distribute food to other organizations as needed, including other food banks and gleaning programs, plus the Chelan County Jail and Lighthouse Ministry. Both can handle larger amounts because they can process them for consumption for the people they serve.
The gleaning program also gathers produce for the Mobile Produce Pantry, which tags along with the Columbia Valley Community Health Mobile Clinic. Together, they serve migrant workers who work seasonally in the local agricultural industry.
“That’s a population that doesn’t often come to the Community Cupboard due to safety or travel concerns,” says Alana. “Those are also the people who are harvesting the food we’re all eating. It’s nice to be able to give them what they’re already giving us with their wider work.”
Although the number of Mobile Food Pantry events depends largely on having extra produce, this year has so far been very prolific. As a result, there are about 6 to 7 events scheduled during the growing season. Alana says many of the events feel like a party, although many of the workers and their families don’t realize the food at the Mobile Food Pantry is free. “We thought this food was for sale,” they say. “No, this is for you,” Alana tells them. “People are very excited and happy.”
Volunteering to help with gleans is very popular.
“People love that there’s a direct connection between their hard work and feeding people,” says Alana. “They hate food waste and like being outside.”
Alana also thinks it’s a popular option because the time commitment is low—some gleaners come for just a single two-hour gleaning shift. Others bring their friends, and regularly volunteer to glean throughout the harvest season.
“I’ve been surprised at how many volunteers want to come crawl on the ground picking strawberries in the 90-degree heat,” says Alana. “Especially when I say we can leave early and they say no.”
Originally called Community Harvest, the MEND gleaning program started with an AmeriCorps volunteer in 2014. In 2023, the program changed considerably when MEND received a two-year, $115,000 grant from the Department of Ecology, allowing the program to expand and grow to the level it is today. Now, a full-time, seasonal gleaning coordinator works from April to October to organize gleans, coordinate with volunteers, wash and weigh produce and deliver it to the Cupboard and other programs.
The Department of Ecology grant, which prioritizes new programs, expired at the end of July 2025 and was not renewed. This loss of funding was anticipated, and the program is funded through the end of 2025 with donations from MEND’s general fund—donations from community members like you. Moving forward, MEND will look for sustainable funding through donations and grants to continue serving the community's food security needs.
As a Friend of MEND, thank you for your part in ensuring nutritious local food goes to the people who need it.