KAWARTHA LAKES-A couple of times a week Connie Webb loads a group of people into a school bus and heads to the fields at Mclean’s Farm near Lakefield. She’s part of a volunteer group known as Gleaners who clear the fields of leftover produce and fruits. “It’s totally awesome, there were tons of tomatoes last time we went and they were so good I made a sandwich when I came home, ” Webb told Kawartha 411. “I’m making salsa and chilli sauce too. I have people that want some, ladies who are shut in’s that I make stuff for and I bake for them too.” Webb says there are about 20 Gleaning Groups in the area.
Gleaning is the ancient practice of gathering a group of people to harvest produce that’s left in the field for various reasons. “We have a lot of food that would be plowed back into the soil if the gleaners did not use it.” Sam McLean, McLeans Farm explained. “There are people in our community that could use a little help. It makes us feel good to know that we are in a position to fulfill that need whether it is to the gleaners , the Warming Room or One Roof Diner.”
A recent study found that half of all food produce in the US was thrown away. Some is left to rot in the field and some it plowed under. If it’s too big or too small or not ripe enough etc, consumers don’t want it.
The volunteers pull fruit and vegatables to donate to local food banks and charities and in return they get to keep some for themselves. It’s a win win for all involved. “A lot of people can’t afford to buy beans or peas and fruit is so expensive,” Webb says. “A lot of people depend on this.”
Peterborough Public Health helps to organize the group. “The gleaning program provides low-income people bus transportation to a local farm, in order to pick their own fresh fruits and vegetables during the summertime,” says Laura Jack, Community Worker at Peterborough Public Health. “Year-end gleaning also provides nutritious food throughout the winter as participants freeze and can the produce they pick.
Webb provides her group with instructions for freezing and canning their produce. “It gives them an opportunity to fill up on healthy foods all year long,” she says.
While they are in the fields they are also harvesting new friendships according to Webb. “A lot of these people don’t get the chance to get out and I try to make it a fun time. Let’s get together and be friends and have a laugh.”
And it’s all free. “A big thank you to our local farmers, McLeans and Cedar Grove for donating more than $21,000 worth of produce last year and their continued support this year. So many people in our community benefit from this program.” Jack says.
The cost of the bus is $130 per trip and is covered entirely by donations for local church groups and other organizations. Donations have slowed recently so the group has set up a go find me page to ensure gleaning can continue. Click here for a link to donate:https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gofundme.com%2Fa-bus-trip-for-peterborough-gleans&h=ATP7iaHRwQfFDjwuD-kgLYtO21TFjImp2VwFb0POq8b3hpE6oKzSbl1Hu_EhgyL8lmwr78nYtKjvjOTbUfMFVcF-mImb90P-GHtKVIB2B3L9K_WlbDgFYJbtoKOUUvqUZu52YV4nfJ9ZQo6yyl0
“We feel it is important to give back to the community that supports us” says Sam McLean. The next gleaning group will head to the farm before Halloween for pumpkins and squash. If you are interested call Connie Webb at 705-808-4815
