Member Organization Update: Glean SLO

Since August 2014, GleanSLO harvested nearly 97,000 lbs. of produce from local farms and gardens! Although that is an amazing amount of produce that they are able to redirect to the Food Bank, they have noticed that there is not as much available produce to glean as before. GleanSLO regularly speaks to farmers in our area, and believes that this decline is due to the drought, as well as more efficient farming methods, which reduces waste. Drought has driven produce prices up, which in turn is making farmers less likely to have excess donatable product. GleanSLO has been working hard not only in the fields, but also to connect more to the farming community in our county. They have recently been highlighted in several media outlets, such as the Farm Bureau of SLO County magazine and the New Times. In addition to promoting their services, they are trying to understand the barriers that farmers encounter when trying to donate their produce. To better understand the farmers' perspective, they are going to be hosting a farmer roundtable with the Farm Bureau.