The Brightside: Society of St. Andrew, Ending Hunger on Delmarva

DELMARVA – The oldest and largest gleaning organization in the U.S. has and established itself right here on Delmarva.

Society of St. Andrew’s goal is to reduce food waste and end hunger. A group that aims to bring people together to harvest, share, and reduce food waste through gleaning.

“The old mandate to leave something behind in the field for the poor in the community, so this is kind of an updated version of that.”

Local branches of the organization take volunteers into farm fields — and gather the food that’s left behind.

“It just didn’t develop as fast and as well as they had hoped. 57 So it’s not marketable but it’s still beautiful and perfectly edible. We really believe that farmers don’t plant things to see them go to waste, so it’s a way for farmers who are very busy and work really hard to get that food to people without them having to do that final step.”

Jean Siers – the regional director of the Delmarva branch tells us it’s redefining the idea of farm to table.

“We try to build relationships with agencies and farms and volunteers all the way across the peninsula. 27 and that allows us to get the food from the farms to the people as close to those farms 32 This is really farm to family, it’s going to be as fresh as it can possibly be.”

But the food is going to the “tables” that need it most, such as the MAC Center, local churches, and the Salvation Army.

Society of St. Andrew recruits volunteers by word of mouth, but also by partnering with schools, scout troops, and community organizations that share similar mindsets to use available resources to best help others live and thrive.

“Not every non-profit is set up to have people of all ages, but I’ve worked with people who have brought babies in their baby bags out and gleaned. I have worked with people who are 80 years old, 90 years old, going out in the field. It’s just a great feeling to know that the community is a better place because we’re able to be here and do that work.”

Jean tells us their ultimate goal is to get rid of food waste and give access to good and nutritious food for everyone.

“I fully believe that there is not a food shortage in the United States, it’s a distribution issue. There’s an abundance of good food, and it’s just a matter of getting it to the people that need it.”

Jean also tells us for farmers wishing to participate,  Maryland has a gleaning tax credit, meaning farmers who donate get a tax credit.

To volunteer or learn more, click here.