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Since 1995, when the Society of
St. Andrew opened the Florida
regional office, more than 31
million pounds of fresh produce
have reached our state's people
in need. This has been
accomplished through the
Gleaning Network and the Potato and
Produce Project and has resulted
in about 90 million servings of
food being delivered to our
neighbors in need. |
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The Society
of St. Andrew operates a
statewide, volunteer-driven
Gleaning Network in Florida that
coordinates with local farmers,
thousands of volunteers, and
food providing agencies. Our
Florida Gleaning Network is
going strong, saving one to t
million pounds of fresh produce
for the hungry each year. Though
an agriculturally diverse state,
citrus is by far our top
yielding produce in Florida;
with now four citrus drives per
year, Florida gleaners save and
distribute over a half million
pounds of sweet oranges,
tangerines, grapefruit and
lemons every year. In addition
to citrus, the Florida office
salvages everything from onions
and white potatoes to
strawberries, cabbage,
cucumbers, squash, and that ever
so famous Zellwood sweet corn.
Through the
Florida Gleaning Network, we
coordinate volunteers across the
state who actually enter fields
and groves 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,
corporate and civic
organizations, individuals, and
inner city residents. Often
those who receive the food
participate in our gleaning
events, this is especially true
in North Florida where many of
the food pantries bring their
clients to the fields with them
to help glean for others as well
as themselves.
Each year,
we coordinate thousands of
volunteers to glean one to two
million pounds of a wide variety
of produce in Florida. Please
join us in this exciting
hands-on ministry. |
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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 that
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 day-time hours.
Most of our gleanings are in the
morning and last three to four
hours. Gleanings are scheduled
week days and on Saturdays.
If you have questions about when
local crops are available, we
would be happy to help.
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