Harvest Against Hunger
Rotary First Harvest’s Harvest Against Hunger acts as a program incubator and catalyst, utilizing a team of AmeriCorps VISTA to work with farmers to build sustainable gleaning and produce recovery programs that have minimal impact on their business model. This includes coordinating volunteer groups to glean and harvest produce, addressing issues and challenges related to supply chain management – like the transportation and distribution of gleaned produce. All gleaned produce, which is nutritionally dense and locally grown, is distributed to food insecure populations through our food bank partners.
Since 2009, HAH has supported the development of more than 43 unique produce recovery projects. In those eight harvest seasons, the HAH program has overseen more than 100 dedicated Harvest VISTA who have gleaned and distributed nearly five million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, engaged more than 1,200 new farmers in hunger relief efforts, all with the help of 20,000 volunteers. And that’s just the beginning: Harvest VISTA build programs that are sustainable and scalable. The positive impact of these programs will benefit for years to come.
Questions? Please contact Beth Baker, HAH Program Director.
HAH Metrics
Pounds of produce gathered
Volunteers engaged
Programs developed
Farmers engaged in local hunger relief
Current Harvest Against Hunger Partner Sites
Washington State
Volunteers of America Western WA
Good Cheer Food Bank
Northwest Harvest
WSU Extension – Clallam
WSU Extension – Spokane
Kitsap Public Health
Elk Run Farm
Harvest Against Hunger National
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
Community Food Share (Colorado)
Food for Others (Virginia)
Society of St. Andrew Florida Gleaning Project
Society of St. Andrew Georgia Gleaning Project
Society of St. Andrew Mississippi Gleaning Project