Maine Gleaning & Food Recovery Organizations
Androscoggin Gleaners
Androscoggin Gleaners is a collective of gleaners supported by two hospitals, and the cooperative extension. Founded in 2017, volunteering is primarily done by Master Gardeners. Located in Lewiston they glean countywide from July to October.
No physical address Gleaning Type: On-farm, Food recovery Organization Type: Nonprofit, All volunteer, University
Catholic Charities Maine Hunger and Relief Services
Farm for ME is run by Catholic Charities Maine Hunger and Relief Services. Located in Aroostook County, they run a farm that grows food for the food bank, glean from area farms and receive truckloads of rejected vegetables before the truck goes on to Canada. They run a food bank that serves 24 food pantries once a month. Most of the volunteers are school children, at times upwards of 120 children have participated. Inmates at the county jail have also been contributing volunteers to this program.
No physical address Gleaning Type: On-farm, Distribution Organization Type: Nonprofit, Religious affiliation, University, Paid staff
Central Maine Gleaners Group (CMGG)
Central Maine Gleaners Group was founded in 2015. They work in conjunction with the local hospital and nearby Colby College to glean produce from a 15 mile radius. Volunteers who are mostly master gardeners run this program without the support of paid staff.
51 Pleasant St, Winthrop, ME 04364 Gleaning Type: On-farm Organization Type: Nonprofit, University, All volunteer
Cooperative Extension: Maine Harvest for Hunger, The University of Maine
Orono, ME based project run by the Cooperative Extension at the University of Maine that encourages farmers, home gardeners, master gardeners, businesses, schools, and civic groups to participate in gleaning. Gleaned and donated foods are delivered to soup kitchens and food pantries in the region. The website includes information for volunteers, gardeners, and farmers.
5741 Libby Hall, Orono, ME 04469 Gleaning Type: On-farm, Urban, Residential, Distribution Organization Type: Nonprofit, University
Cumberland County Food Security Council
Cumberland County Food Security Council gleaning program was founded in 2017. Based in Portland Maine they use volunteers who mostly Master Gardeners they glean countywide from June-November.
No physical address Gleaning Type: On-farm, Residential, Distribution Organization Type: All volunteer, Nonprofit
Good Shepard Food Bank of Maine
Hampden, ME based nonprofit organization with programs providing local food to the food insecure, food transportation services, nutrition-based cooking classes, and child and senior hunger programs. The website includes information for volunteers, food recipients, food donors and others.
11 Penobscot Meadow Dr., Hampden, ME 04444 Gleaning Type: Urban, Distribution Organization Type: Nonprofit
Healthy Acadia
Ellsworth, ME based nonprofit organization that runs a gleaning initiative to bring volunteers to farms, farmers markets, groceries, and other venues to recover food for distribution to food pantries and other sites. Additional food programs include summer meals, senior farm shares, and a CSA. The website includes information for volunteers and others.
140 State Street, Suite 1 Ellsworth, Maine 04605 Gleaning Type: On-farm, Farmers markets, Food recovery, Distribution Organization Type: Nonprofit
Knox County Gleaners
Knox County Gleaners is a grassroots organization that works with small, local farms in Knox County, Maine, to help with production and share harvests that help feed our local folks in need. We distribute to local food pantries, soup kitchens, Salvation Army, and smaller groups with "sharing tables." With the help of collaborations we are able to supply the needs of small farms with labor and tools.
No physical address Gleaning Type: On-farm, Distribution Organization Type: Nonprofit, University, Paid staff
Lincoln County Gleaners
Lincoln county gleaners was founded in 2017. Based in Damariscotta Maine they glean from farms in all of Lincoln county. Gleans are done via volunteers. They do both farm gleans and pickups of pre harvested food. Volunteers are invited to help with gleaning and food distribution.
281 Main St, Damariscotta, ME 04543 Gleaning Type: On-farm, Distribution, Food recovery Organization Type: Nonprofit, University
Merrymeeting Gleaners
The Merrymeeting Gleaners were founded in 2016 as a project of Merrymeeting Food Council in Maine. In 2021, they transitioned to being a program of Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, the largest hunger relief organization in the region. The group has a full-time coordinator and over 200 volunteers. They glean year-round from farms and farmers markets and distribute directly to recipient organizations, as well as operating Sharing Tables and processing some of the fresh produce for winter distribution.
12 Tenney Way Gleaning Type: On-farm, Farmers markets, Distribution Organization Type: Nonprofit, Paid staff
Unity Barn Raisers
Unity Barn Raisers has ran the Veggies for All Program since 2007. This program aims to directly impact food insecurity through on-farm gleaning. The gleaned produce is redistributed through a varity of channels, such as food banks and meal programs.
32 School St, Unity, ME 04988 Gleaning Type: On-farm, Distribution Organization Type: Nonprofit, Religious affiliation, Paid staff
