Alabama | EndHunger

Gleaning in Alabama

In 2019, our Alabama region gleaned 477,195 pounds of fresh produce in 1,067 events, with 1,644 volunteers.

Food donated by 118 farmers was distributed to hungry people through 136 feeding agencies.

Through the Alabama Gleaning Network, we coordinate volunteers in many areas of the state who actually enter fields after farmers have finished harvesting and simply pick up the tons of good produce left behind. Our volunteers represent groups from various church denominations, synagogues, youth groups, other civic organizations, individuals, and inner-city residents.

Each year, we coordinate hundreds of volunteers to glean nearly hundreds of thousands of pounds of a variety of produce in Alabama. Please join us in this exciting hands-on ministry.

We thank Publix Super Markets Charities for their recent gift to help fund packaging and transportation of donated produce to food agencies that feed the hungry.

Alabama Gleaning

To volunteer in Alabama, call or write using the contact information in the right column of this page, or use our Volunteer Form.

Most gleaning events take place on weekends, where gleaners arrive in the fields around 8am, and are on their way home by noon. Society of St. Andrew makes all arrangements with farmers, produce containers, and food distribution. All the volunteer gleaners need to do is show up. Volunteer groups are encouraged to take food back to agencies or programs that they support in their local area.

People of all ages can glean. Gleaners should be able to bend over and should be able to bend and lift several pounds of produce.

It is important that the contact person be reachable by phone during daytime hours.

Most of our gleanings are in the morning and last three to four hours. Gleanings are scheduled on weekdays and on Saturdays.

If you have questions about when local crops are available, we would be happy to help.