NH Gleans expands efforts to rescue surplus crops from local farms to feed individuals and families in need
LEE, NH – Amid a surge in demand, NH Gleans is expanding its efforts to increase access to fresh, locally grown food for individuals and families in need across New Hampshire with support from Hannaford Supermarkets.
Gather, a Portsmouth-based regional hunger relief organization, recently received a $105,000 investment from Hannaford to expand its statewide NH Gleans network. The funding will be used to strengthen relationships with local farmers and increase community outreach, as a growing number of people face food insecurity in New Hampshire.
“Gleaning” is a process of harvesting perfectly edible, leftover fruits and vegetables from participating local farms, orchards and gardens, that would otherwise go to waste. A network of food pantries and regional organizations across the state then distribute the produce to those who need it most.
“Hannaford’s investment will enable the NH Gleans network of regional partners to work with more farms and organize more volunteers and staff to harvest the surplus produce in the field. This effort is a win-win – diverting food from landfills or spoiling in the field while addressing the urgent need to feed our struggling neighbors,” said Allison Bussiere, Food Systems Coordinator at Gather. “Connecting growing and hunger relief partners is one of the ways that we are working to ensure that everyone, not just those who can afford it, have access to healthy local food.”
Josh Andrews started Roots in Reverie farm in 2019. He leases two plots of land in Lee, New Hampshire for his vegetable and flower growing business.
“We service a lot of restaurants, farmers markets, and CSA members but also value our long-standing relationships with gleaners who help us maximize the harvest so that nothing goes to waste and we can get good food to those who need it most,” said Andrews. “Often there’s produce with minor blemishes or bruises that are still nutritious and tasty but we don’t have the staff to pull those vegetables. So it’s wonderful to have volunteers come to the farm and pick that produce and donate it to participating food pantries.”
In 2024, the NH Gleans distributed nearly 267,000 pounds of gleaned crops, equaling roughly 1.5 million servings of fruits and vegetables, from more than 100 farms statewide. The goal of the expansion is to grow the network of farms and community members to glean even more nutritious, locally grown food.
The funding from Hannaford is part of a $600,000 investment to support gleaning programs and increase access to fresh, nutritious food across New England. It’s the latest chapter of the grocery retailer’s Eat Well, Be Well – A Path to Better Health initiative, which aims to pave the way for healthier futures by increasing access to healthy, nutritious food.
“At Hannaford, we believe in the transformative power of doing good in our communities,” said Sherri Stevens, Community Impact Manager at Hannaford Supermarkets. “It’s why we’re incredibly proud to support the meaningful work of Gather and the NH Gleans network, which will help ensure more families in New Hampshire can access the fresh, nutritious food they need to thrive.”
For more information about Hannaford’s community efforts and charitable giving initiatives, visit Hannaford.com/HannafordHelps.
About Gather Founded in 1816, Gather is one of the oldest social service organizations in the country and the Greater Seacoast’s leading food distribution nonprofit organization. Over the last decade, Gather has transformed from a traditional food pantry into a hub of innovative programs, including mobile markets that bring fresh food directly into communities. Gather recently opened a large community food center in Portsmouth that provides healthy food and resources to individuals and families from 119 cities and towns in New Hampshire and Maine. For more information, visit www.gathernh.org
About Hannaford Supermarkets Hannaford Supermarkets is a leading regional grocer operating 188 stores in the Northeast, most with full-service pharmacies. Since 1883, Hannaford has been dedicated to delivering fresh, high-quality food with care, while creating “more good” in its communities. Guided by its purpose to cultivate thriving communities, Hannaford continues to build on its commitment to uncommon care by supporting local community partners, being the most welcoming place to work and shop, and taking thoughtful steps to protect the planet for future generations. In 2024, Hannaford donated more than 27.6 million pounds of food to hunger relief organizations and supported approximately 135 community partners across its footprint, helping expand access to fresh food, advance youth development, and support healthier lives. Headquartered in Scarborough, Maine, with stores in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont, Hannaford employs nearly 30,000 associates. Additional information can be found at Hannaford.com.