Gleaning—30 Years of Harvesting & Sharing

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Click on image to enlarge | Photo credit: Senior Gleaners of San Diego County

Gleaning is a historical practice going back to medieval and even biblical times. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, “A gleaner is someone who collects excess fresh foods from a variety of sources in order to provide them to those in need.” Gleaning feeds people, reduces

waste and keeps methane-creating organic matter out of our landfills.

For over thirty years Senior Gleaners of San Diego County has relied on senior volunteers, ages 55+, to pick produce in residents’ backyards and orchards that would otherwise go to waste, then transport and donate the produce to non-profit distribution sites that feed individuals facing food insecurity. Grocery stores also donate surplus food that is transported by Senior Gleaner volunteers. As many as 75 distribution partners located throughout the county receive this food to feed people in need.

Click on images to enlarge | Photo credit: Senior Gleaners of San Diego County

Senior Gleaners picked and transported 232,330 pounds of fruit to food pantries, churches, and other food distribution sites in 2025. An additional 175,827 pounds of surplus groceries from participating grocery stores were transported by Senior Gleaners volunteers, resulting in over 418,000 pounds of produce that fed people, not landfills. This represents a significant contribution to the organizations throughout San Diego County that distribute food to the thousands of children and adults who rely on the produce donations.

Click on image to enlarge | Photo credit: Senior Gleaners of San Diego County

Senior Gleaners operates throughout San Diego County deploying almost 200 older adults in this effort. While the peak gleaning season winds up by early summer, the grocery pickups and some produce continue year-round. If you have trees to register for either still this season or the next one, you can register them here. Small residential yards are welcome in addition to larger groves. Volunteers only work a couple of hours on weekday mornings. No minimum hours are required, and many people love the outdoor work and the camaraderie of meeting like-minded folks. If you are interested and are 55+, sign up here.