A Day of Gleaning at the Rodale Institute

The Rodale Institute, in conjunction with the Nurture Nature Center, and Easton Hunger Coalition, hosted a Gleaning Workshop Experience on June 22, 2016. The workshop was held at the Rodale Institute; a sprawling farm boasting over 300 acres in Kutztown, PA. The farm was built on the belief, “Healthy soil, healthy food, healthy people”- which it continually lives up to. My first impression here was of the passion that everyone had for this farm and its mission.

Brooke Kohler from the Nurture Nature Center was leading the workshop along with Cynthia James, ASC Program Manager of Rodale. With a group of 8 attendees, we began in the farmhouse classroom with Brooke excitedly explaining the process of gleaning and the major goals of the working group of whom she is the co-chair, Food Recovery and Respect, part of the Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council. Gleaning was a new word for me and maybe for you as well.

In terms of farming and food access, gleaning consists of collecting excess crops that are left over after a farmer has fulfilled his commercial harvest, as well as on fields that are not profitable for the farmer to harvest. The produce that is collected is then donated in an effort to combat food insecurity for people in need of fresh, easily available foods. This produce is perfectly edible, safe to eat and just as delicious in taste.  The gleaning movement is extremely important in terms of food access, food insecurity and eliminating waste of edible, healthy foods; each of which is part of  United Way’s mission of Food Access. 

Cynthia then spoke with us in the classroom, giving an overview of what we would be doing during our workshop. I had never given much thought into the science of producing, harvesting, cooling, and distributing crops. This was a real eye opener for me! Listening to Cynthia describe how some vegetables need to be harvested in the morning hours to keep them freshest and most nutrient dense, while others can be picked in the afternoon and some don’t usually have a preference was fascinating to me. Picking vegetables and fruits at the right time of day slows respiration, leading to a longer shelf (or fridge!) life. She also gave useful tips, like to not put cucumbers and tomatoes in the refrigerator because it can change their texture and yummy, garden-fresh flavor. Lesson learned!

After our classroom time, Cynthia took us for a small tour of the property. Whiteboards within the processing room indicate what how much of each crop will be going out to farmers’ markets, as well as the ASC baskets. ASC is basically the reverse of the popular CSA memberships. While CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) helps out the farms and is typically on the expensive side, Rodale is part of ASC; Agriculture Supporting Community. Members can pay as they go; a much more affordable option. SNAP benefits can also be used in purchasing a box of colorful, fresh produce from the farm.

And finally, it was time to glean! Our group was in charge of collecting Lacinato kale; a less curly, Italian heirloom kale. The beautiful weather and bright blue sky only added to the great feeling of doing something for others. When each of our buckets were full, we filled two cooling tanks, washed our hands, and then emptied our baskets into the tanks to hydro-cool the kale. By the end of the process, we had four very large bags FULL of kale. In total, we gleaned a total of 117 pounds of kale that morning!! It was such a rewarding experience for everyone. I cannot recommend enough for community members to find a farm that gleans, and getting out there to volunteer in their gleaning process. It is worth the effort!

United Way, and over a dozen community partners, founded the Lehigh Valley Food Policy Council. The working group “Food Respect and Recovery” was established through the council; of which this Gleaning Workshop was created.

Gleaning is an incredible way to help the community; whether by donating your time to the farm to collect the food, as the farmer donating your excess crop, or donating transportation to bring the crop from farm to organizations that can effectively distribute to those in need.

Join the food access conversation online, use  #LVFood4All!