Second Chance Foods, a food justice nonprofit that connects healthy food to hungry people in need throughout the Hudson Valley, is looking for volunteers to glean on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hilltop Hanover Farm through late October, 2023. If outdoor volunteering isn’t for you, the nonprofit also has year-round opportunities to cook, wash dishes, pack boxes or transport food.

Gleaning is the act of picking leftover food that farms are unable to harvest due to cosmetic standards, labor costs or shortage and market demand. Last year, gleaning at Hilltop alone produced almost 2,650 pounds of fresh food for Second Chance Foods’ recipients.

“By gleaning with Second Chance Foods, you’ll reduce waste in the fields and feed our neighbors in need,” explains Martha Elder, executive director. “Like all the food we recover, the freshest items stay whole so our recipients can enjoy them as they are. Less-than-perfect items or foods that can be harder to cook with are transformed in our kitchen to make healthy eating easy.”

“We’re always looking to expand our gleaning efforts and partners in food justice,” adds Elder. “If you know of a local farm or private orchard that might be interested in becoming a partner with us, please contact us to see how we can work together.”