Member of Maine Gleaning Network

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The University of Maine Cooperative Extension provides resources and works in all aspects of Maine's food system, including addressing food insecurity needs, working with farmers, and providing food safety and nutrition information in the state. 

 

Begun in 2000, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Maine Harvest for Hunger program is a grassroots effort to encourage gardeners, farmers, businesses, schools, civic groups and others to donate high-quality fruits and vegetables to citizens in need.

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Through county-based networks, donated produce is delivered to food pantries, soup kitchens, community meals, and individuals across the state. Maine Harvest for Hunger distributes hundreds of thousands of pounds of food to hungry Mainers each year.

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There are several ways that you can help out. Learn more about the Harvest for Hunger program in your area and how you can get involved.

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Local food feeding local people

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University of Maine Cooperative Extension County Programs

 

Androscoggin, Kennebec, and Sagadahoc Counties 

These central and midcoast counties participate in gleaning through two groups-Merrymeeting Gleaners a program that is part of Midcoast Hunger prevention, in Sagadahoc County, and Androscoggin Gleaners in Androscoggin county.

• Farmers’ market gleaning in Bath, Brunswick, and Lewiston

• Growing food at school and community gardens 

• On-farm gleaning on over 10 commercial farms 

• Food distribution to over 50 sites in these counties

• Year-round gleaning of storage sheds and a hydroponic farm

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Cumberland County UMaine Extension

The Extension in Maine’s most populous county works closely with the Cumberland County Food Security Council. In addition end of season gleanings are done at local commercial farms and local community and school gardens as well at at the Tidewater Farm research/demonstration gardens 

 

Hancock/Washington County- UMaine Extension

Master Gardener Volunteers are asked to serve 20 hours at one of our approved projects that educate the public and/or address food insecurity in Hancock and Washington Counties. Many Master Gardener Volunteers in these two counties support our food security partners by growing  food in community and home gardens and by gleaning in collaboration with the Healthy Acadia Gleaning Initiative

 

Knox/Lincoln Counties - UMaine Extension

Master Gardener Volunteers (MGVs) and many other community volunteers help these partners support food security efforts in our midcoast communities.

• Lincoln County Gleaners (Healthy Lincoln County)

• Knox County Gleaners (Come Spring Food Pantry)

• Erickson Fields Preserve (Maine Coast Heritage Trust)

• Morris Farm Trust 

• Brae Maple Farm

• Blueberry Cove 4-H Camp and Learning Center

• Knox County Food Council 

• Multiple school and community gardens 

• Individuals in their home gardens

 

Penobscot County UMaine Cooperative Extension

Volunteers help neighbors in need by growing food in home and community gardens as well as on-farm and farmers’ markets gleaning activities. Here’s a snapshot of our specific projects:

• Gleaning research fields at Rogers Farm in Old Town  

• Farmers’ market gleaning at Bangor and Orono markets

• Growing food at school and community gardens 

• Growing food at Rogers Farm in the demonstration garden 

• On-farm gleaning on 3 commercial farms - 1 strawberry, 1 apple orchard and 1 mixed vegetable farm

 

​Other counties with growing gleaning resources:

York, Oxford, Piscatiquis, Somerset, and Waldo