Connecting people with fresh food — The Chester County Food Bank's Gleaning & Growing Program
Despite its status as one of the wealthiest regions in the state, Chester County is home to over 32,000 households that lack proper access to food — a problem that has significantly worsened since the onset of the economic recession. With the goal of providing food to Chester County residents in need, the Chester County Food Bank is working to lower that number as much as possible.
The Gleaning & Growing Program
Although the Chester County Food Bank distributes food from a variety of sources, the non-profit has placed a heavy emphasis on providing households in need not only with access to food — but access to local, nutritious food that supports a healthy lifestyle. One of the ways that the Food Bank is able to deliver local produce is through their Gleaning & Growing Program.
Gleaning is a Biblical term that refers to leaving one's "leftover" crops for the poor after harvest. This practice, along with the planting of entire beds specifically for the purpose of donating their bounty to those in need, is the basis of the Gleaning & Growing Program. In 2010, 130,000 pounds of fresh produce was gleaned from the beds of 43 local growers, and with the recent addition of numerous volunteers and gleaning gardens, this year's total is sure to be even greater.
Gleaning & Sustainability
As you probably have already learned, there are a number of inherent economic and environmental benefits to supporting the production and distribution of local, high-quality food. People sometimes overlook, however, what is perhaps the most obvious benefit of responsible agriculture — its profound impact on the health and well-being of individuals and, on a larger scale, our society as a whole.
The unfortunate reality of our current food system is that the most affordable and easily accessible foods are often the unhealthiest. They are overly processed, stripped of their vitamins and minerals, and often include a long list of unrecognizable ingredients. As we grow older we tend to realize that the old adage "you are what you eat" has more truth to it than we ever believed it would, and so many of us have made the conscious decision to fuel our minds and bodies with fresh, wholesome meals. When accessibility and cost become an insurmountable obstacle, however, many families are pushed to consume less-healthy options. And, since we are indeed what we eat, it makes sense that a society that regularly feeds itself with low-quality food is at a higher risk of becoming a society burdened by sickness and poor physical health, and, ultimately, a poor quality of life. The Food Bank's Growing & Gleaning Program tackles these issues and helps promote sustainable communities in Chester County by working to eliminate hunger and poor nutrition among some of our most vulnerable residents.
Ways to Join the Effort
The Food Bank relies on a dedicated team of over 600 volunteers and over 40 different farms or gardens within the County to grow, harvest, transport, and distribute local produce each spring and fall.
If you would like to volunteer your time to the Chester County Food Bank, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Joyce Taylor or visit www.chestercountyfoodbank.org/donate for a volunteer application form. You can also participate in the Growing & Gleaning Program by growing your own crops that can be gleaned by the Food Bank. Vacant lots, schools, churches, community centers, and even your own backyard are all great places to build a gleaning garden and help feed those in need.