VENTURA COUNTY — Food Forward, a Regional Gleaning Organization Recovers Thousands Of Pounds Of Fresh Produce That Otherwise Would Go To Waste And In Turn, Donates This Abundance To Local Hunger Relief Organizations During Fall Campaign, Glean805: Harvest For The Hungry.
Glean805 is an effort that happens throughout the 805 region between October 16, which is World Food Day (http://www.fao.org/world-food-day/2017/home/en/) and October 24, which is National Food Day (https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-food-day-october-24/). World Food Day is organized and promoted by United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to promote awareness around global food insecurity issues. National Food Day is promoted by the Center for Science in Public Interest and encourages people to eat “real” food instead of processed foods for health and well-being.
Gleaning is the practice of collecting leftover or unused produce from farms, neighborhood backyards, farmer’s markets and wholesale distribution centers. Food Forward then shares that produce with people who don’t have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Food Forward is a premier volunteer organization that hosts events for the public to get involved in the gleaning movement where they live. Here in the 805, we live in an area of agricultural abundance, still, there are many people that go hungry. Gleaning is an opportunity for communities to come together and help fight hunger in their own communities, while connecting with their neighbors, reducing food waste and creating a healthier community. Every year, millions of pounds of food go unharvested in fields and neighborhoods across our region. Volunteers and community partners are needed to help local gleaning groups capture this produce to help feed our communities in need.
In Ventura, Food Forward will be hosting a number of volunteer-powered events, including farmer’s market gleans and backyard harvests. To participate or for more information, visit: www.foodforward.org.