Keynote Address: Dr. Yona Sipos
University of Washington
Food inherently connects people to each other and to our planet. Food transcends language and culture to nourish and educate across experiences. Food is a collection of stories from the past, present, and future – stories from our families, cultures, and communities that we are all learning, sharing, and continuing to grow. When we eat, we engage in the full food system – the complex system of systems that supports food production, processing, distribution, access, and resource recovery. When we eat, we engage with the land and laborers across each sector. Food can therefore be seen as a grand unifier, bringing together diverse people and communities. When we share food, we create opportunities to learn about each other, appreciate one another, and leverage those shared experiences into addressing a whole host of other social issues.
Gleaning in Washington - an Overview
David Bobanick, Harvest Against Hunger
This 15 minute session will introduce you to gleaning in Washington state, illustrating the struggles gleaners face and how harnessing our collective strengths allows gleaners to thrive in the state.
Efforts to Build A Member Led Regional Gleaning Network
David Bobanick, Benji Astrachan, Rachel Bishop
Washington State Gleaning Network
Panel discussion which explores the democratic, relationship focused process used to build the Washington State Gleaning Network. Panelists will review the timeline, the Network Assessment and provide insight as to their vision of how network participation will impact their organizations as the WSGN moves forward.
Building Your Local Community Network
Faith Whaley, CTK Food Share
Deb Hicks, Boston Area Gleaners
Coming from two apparently quite different organizations, Faith and Deb will together discuss their unique approaches on how they build and maintain strong relationships with farm, volunteers, and partner organizations.
From Passion to Profit Through Partnership
Ahndrea Blue, Making a Difference Foundation
This session will include information on how Making A Difference Foundation and our Eloise’s Cooking Pot Food Bank are handling the significant growth and demand for food that was caused by inflation and the COVID pandemic. Ahndrea will also discuss how many small agricultural operations have passion but struggle with business planning, setup, and finances and how building partnerships can help them in fundraising, networking, and building community.
Models for Regional Network Development
Lynette Johnson, SOSA
Hillary Bailey, Vermont Gleaning Collective
A networked gleaning operation can reap benefits of scale through shared expertise and more efficient use of fundraising and administration personnel and services. Lynette will provide a look inside the organizational and program structure of SOSA, the geographically most widespread gleaning organization in the country. Hillary will share the experience of the Vermont Gleaning Collective, a network of six autonomous organizations that collaborate to support farmers, residents and the food system.
Visualize Your Local Network with Story Mapping
Cara Michelle Silverberg, Rachel’s Table
Rachel's Table of Western Massachusetts partners with Smith College students in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) classes to create interactive visualizations of our service area, gleaning data, and volunteer and distribution networks. Come learn about this unique way of understanding and sharing your gleaning story, and about leveraging partnerships outside of the food sector to enhance your organization's work.
How to Farmers Market Recovery: The Ins and Outs of Gleaning Farmers Markets
Melina Finck and Aubrey Pacheco-Dul, Food Forward
This presentation will cover what you need to consider to start and grow a volunteer powered farmer’s market produce recovery operation. Samantha will also be introducing Food Forward's farmers market recovery mentorship program, kicking off in 2025.
Post Harvest Production
Mary Hunt, PT Gleaners
Benji Astrachan, WSU Clallam Extension
These panelists will discuss their program’s post-harvest production programs. WSU Clallam Extension has built partnerships with food aid organizations through their development of a commercial kitchen and farm-style wash/pack station. Mary will share Port Townsend Gleaners cider making operations.
Fruit Tree Care Services as a Revenue Stream
Julian Garcia, City Fruit
Since 2021, City Fruit’s tree care services program has visited more than 300 private and public spaces to maintain fruit tree health in the greater Seattle area. Join fruit tree specialist, Julian, to learn about how to grow and sustain a tree care services program within a non-profit organization.
Is Gleaning Part of the Hunger Problem?
Shawn Peterson, AGO
Despite our best efforts, hunger is not getting better in the US. What role do gleaners and the rest of the "Hunger Relief Industrial Complex" play in
perpetuating this problem? Join a facilitated conversation on the complex problems faced by our efforts to address the root cause of hunger in the US.
Software
Roberto Casanueva
Software. In this panel there will be a presentation of a number of solutions in the market today, what people are using and what is working. We will also open this panel up to everyone to discuss surrounding budgets, needs and future advancements in the market. Come to learn and come to share.