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MADF 2024 Gleaning Season: A Season of Abundance and Impact

10 Dec 2024, by Admin in Gleaning, Washington state, Making A Difference Foundation (MADF)

​Emily Syrjala is the AmeriCorps member serving at The Making a Difference Foundation (MADF) as the Farm to Full Bellies Gleaning & Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator in Tacoma, Washington. The main goal of her service is to increase access to fresh and appropriate produce to food-insecure households, especially those within the BIPOC community by strengthening and sustaining efficient community-based volunteer recruitment and expanding the area’s gleaning capacity.

As the 2024 gleaning season wraps up, Eloise’s Cooking Pot Food Bank celebrates a remarkable year of collaboration, sustainability, and community impact. The gleaning program, a vital partnership with local farmers, gardeners, and dedicated volunteers, made significant strides in addressing food insecurity while combating food waste.

The gleaning process, as detailed in the accompanying infographic, begins when farmers and gardeners with surplus or unused produce donate their harvest. Volunteers pick and pack the fresh food, which is then transported by volunteer drivers to the food bank. From there, the produce is distributed to families and individuals in need.

This year, the program gleaned an impressive 7,407.62 pounds of produce, saving the organization approximately $16,000 in produce costs. These efforts directly addressed critical issues highlighted in the infographic, such as the 10 million pounds of food wasted annually in U.S. fields and the fact that only 1 in 10 adults consume the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. By redirecting surplus food, the program not only provided nutrient-rich produce to underserved families but also contributed to environmental sustainability by reducing food waste and its associated greenhouse gas emissions.

The infographic further emphasizes the program’s mission to bridge the gap in food access and highlights the importance of volunteerism. Community members are encouraged to participate by donating their time to glean or contributing surplus produce from their own gardens. These efforts are essential in addressing food insecurity, where 1 in 8 families in the U.S. struggle to access nutritious food.

As the program reflects on 2024’s achievements, the team at Eloise’s Cooking Pot Food Bank extends gratitude to the farmers, volunteers, and donors who made the season a success. Their contributions showcase the transformative power of collaboration in building a healthier, more equitable community while reducing environmental waste.  Looking ahead to 2025, the program remains committed to continuing its mission of nourishing families and fostering sustainability.