Society of St Andrew NE FL Gleaning Network
The Society of St Andrew is a national nonprofit food rescue organization. Our regional NE FL Gleaning Network is headed by Larry Rood. He coordinates the growers and the volunteers needed to collect food which would otherwise go to waste. The vegetables and fruit are then distributed to food banks and soup kitchens throughout Putnam, St Johns, Baker, Clay, Flagler and Duval Counties. Last year alone, over 150,000 pounds of produce was salvaged and distributed to feed the hungry. As the seasons and harvests change, gleaning projects are arranged. A typical cycle is: Nov-April, homeowner citrus; Feb-April, cabbage and broccoli; April, blueberries and strawberries; and May-June, potatoes. These nutritious foods are given to our local food supply by many farmers and homeowners, often without the public’s awareness. Sandi’s role as coordinator is absolutely essential to reducing food waste and to relieving hunger.
The custom of allowing the poor to follow the reapers in the field and glean the fallen spears of grain is backed by one of the early agricultural laws of the Hebrews, found in Leviticus 23:22. “`When you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to leave them for the needy and the alien.”
If you have food to offer, or wish to volunteer, please contact:
Contact:
Sandi Newman, Area Coordinator SOSA NE FL Gleaning Network 904.307.-0914 Sandinewman01@gmail.com
Link: