Simplified: It's the time of year when both farmers and local gardeners have excess produce, and there are a few local efforts modeling ways to use that excess and share it around to prevent waste. Here's what to know about gleaning.

Why it matters

  • Gleaning is a term that dates back to the bible and to agrarian societies. It describes the idea of taking the excess from farms, gardens, etc. to make sure nothing goes to waste and everyone who needs food has access to it.
  • Between 30 and 40% of all food produced for human consumption goes to waste, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). That ranges from produce that goes to rot in the field to restaurant meals that went unsold or uneaten.
    • Meanwhile, data from a 2022 Augustana Research study shows that 17% (or about 1 in 6) kids in Sioux Falls face food insecurity, meaning they don't have consistent access to enough food for a healthy, active life, per the USDA definition.
  • In addition to preventing food waste, gleaning is also a way to build community. Dr. Beth Jensen, who runs a family farm when she isn't working as a family physician, said in her work in the medical field, she sees lots of people who are feeling lonely or depressed and lacking human connection. She combats this loneliness by inviting people to her farm for Glean for Good events, in which they make a meal and get to know one another.
"I’m hoping that over the course of just chopping vegetables, sitting over the grill and maybe cutting flowers there are some connections made that break down some of these barriers, and that we can kind of come together," Jensen said. "I don't think it has to be more complicated than that."

Tell me more

Gleaning can also be an effective way to combat food insecurity, as illustrated by the work of Food Rescue 605, a project of Sioux Falls Thrive.

  • An event last month brought in 800 pounds of produce, and none of it went to waste, said Michelle Erpenbach, president of Sioux Falls Thrive.
  • Even the scraps and peelings were saved and given to the animals on Jensen's farm.
"They just know my pigs will eat everything," Jensen said.

Jensen's pigs also regularly get food scraps from the school lunches at Sioux Falls Christian – another example of keeping food from going to waste.

The Food Rescue 605 event took place in a church kitchen with volunteers to process the produce into applesauce, pickles, etc., and the products were donated to the St. Francis House, the Union Gospel Mission and The Banquet.

Erpenbach said the gleaning event's success is something she hopes other groups pick up on.

"We know this works," she said. "It can be replicated, and there's enough people out there. We really can support several locations around town."

How can I glean?

If you're a farmer with excess produce, you can contact Bread Break, a nonprofit working to prevent food waste. Learn more about that here.

And, if you've just got too many zucchinis in your garden, you can also participate in gleaning and food rescue on a smaller scale in your neighborhood.

  • Food Rescue 605 has a number of suggestions including bringing produce to your neighborhood churches or schools.
  • Or, you can pull a page out of Jensen's playbook and host a dinner with friends where you all bring excess produce and create a meal with what you've got. It doesn't have to stop at produce, either. Jensen said she's done similar events with friends where they swapped clothing.
"I hope that (people) see how in their own neighborhoods, they can see the abundance that’s around them and, in creative ways, connect with other people rather than just collect all these things."

What happens next?

Glean for Good hosts its next event Saturday at Jensen's Garretson farm.

Food Rescue 605 is also hosting another gleaning event Sept. 25. You can learn more about how to donate or volunteer here.