Gleaning

‘Gleaning’ is the ancient practise of harvesting surplus crops from farms, and redistributing them to people experiencing food insecurity. With UK Farmers forced to waste 10-16% of their crop annually, we are a community-level intervention that gets good food into peoples bellies whilst providing fun opportunities for connection. 

We partner with farms across Sussex, where our Gleaning Coordinator guides a volunteer group for 2-5 hours of collective harvesting. We then transport the produce to local community food projects. Our volunteer teams help rescue tonnes of fresh produce from farms across Sussex throughout the year.  

    • Gleaning is a great way to do something purposeful outdoors. 

    • Connect with new people in your community and get to know your local food producers. 

    • Soak up the wellbeing benefits of fresh air, exercise & light (optional) socialising. 

    • Often you can take some of the surplus crop home. 

    • Play an important role in getting healthy, fresh produce to the community food sector, supporting people facing food insecurity. 

    • You’ll directly prevent farm level food waste, saving an estimated 2,700kgs of CO2 per tonne of fresh produce rescued. 

  • If you sign up to our Gleaning mailing list you’ll receive ‘Gleaning Call-Outs’ with information about what we’re harvesting, when, and anything else you need to know. You sign up for each glean that works for you and we support with travel logistics and expenses. 
     
    We take care of redistributing the produce, unless you’re connected to a community food project near you and want to personally transport it there.

  • “There's a triple bonus of light exercise, social chat, and making a difference!” 

    "Gleaning days are such a joy: fresh air & exercise in great company, & all for a good cause. what more could you ask for? As a full-time carer I find these days are a real boost to my mental health... it's a win-win.” 
     
    “Getting out into nature with a joint task makes connection with new people seem natural & less scary.” 
     
    We hope to see you out in the fields soon! 

  • We have funding to run gleaning trips with community groups in 2026. Please email our gleaning coordinator Jas if you’re in Sussex and interested in this: jas@sussexsurplus.org 
     
    We also run Gleaning Team Days for businesses. Please email our gleaning coordinator Jas if you’d like to discuss this: jas@sussexsurplus.org 

  • At no cost to you we harvest, pack and transport unsellable/ surplus produce from farm to non-profit projects that feed people facing food poverty. We have been doing this work since 2015, with well established processes, volunteer teams, public liability insurance and relationships in place to make sure that your delicious food gets put to good use by the community sector!   

    We're interested in all quantities of food, from a few crates to large quantities of perishables.  

    If you’re interested in our team gleaning at your farm/ growing project please contact our Gleaning Coordinator Jas: jas@sussexsurplus.org  

  • Check out the Gleaning Network Map and Handbook here.

    Food waste is a global scandal.

Get involved

Add your details here to be added to our gleaning mailing list.

“Gleaning days are such a joy. Fresh air and exercise in great company, and all for a good cause. What more could you ask for?”