Supporting 11,000+ people in need weekly
WHAT IS GLEANING? The act of collecting leftover crops, after the harvest. Gleaning is referred to in The Bible and is one of the first forms of social welfare.
OUR MISSION is to ensure healthy, nutritious, fresh produce is available, free of charge, to as many people in need as possible, across Cornwall and Devon and to reduce on farm and other food waste.
SHOCKING FACTS! According to The Office of National Statistics in April 2025, the full time average weekly income in Cornwall is £425. In the UK the average is £767. Cornwall, like many regions suffers from a housing crisis, which is making rents unaffordable and transport and heating costs are higher than average. According to Cornwall Council’s “The Kernow we Know”, May 2025 report, 30% of children in Cornwall are suffering food insecurity.
On farm food waste makes up around 15% of all the food waste in the UK. That is the same as the retail, transport and processing sectors combined.
This waste it is not the fault of the farmers who work very hard to reduce this but is a result of:
- having great growing conditions, so there is more than they can find a market for.
- Crops grow at different rates and with the cost of labour being high, it is sometimes not economically viable to harvest a crop more than once.
- Farmers need to slightly over produce to ensure they have enough of the right size and quality of produce when needed.
- Crops may be slightly too big, too small, the wrong shape or colour.
- Weather is increasingly unpredictable.
- Market conditions change.
Come rain or shine, we harvest surplus or outgraded /’wonky’ crops in local fields or sort and collect them directly from farm yards.
We do this with the kind support of dedicated volunteers, generous farmers and vital donations.
WHO RECEIVES GLEANED PRODUCE? This fresh, healthy, free produce is distributed to around 150 food banks, community larder, community kitchens, a refugee camp, homeless shelters, hospices and organisations feeding those in need in Cornwall and Devon.
Following annual surveys, we know that food recipients are mainly working families who are struggling with the cost of living, followed by the elderly, the sick and people who have had a knock.
Together, we can do more. There are many ways to get involved, working together we can continue to rescue hundreds of tonnes of healthy food for hungry people…
OUR NETWORK
OUR PHOTOS
We appreciate your financial support
If you are able to give to Gleaning Cornwall at this time – thank you so much!
People give to Gleaning Cornwall in many ways and we are incredibly thankful for all the practical support, gifts of time, petrol, flapjacks, heart and energy given freely by all our volunteers. Their gifts are without numbers. We would not be able to run Gleaning Cornwall without them.
Last year we donated over 90 tonnes of produce to feed people in food poverty.
Our current needs
- One off donors, winter brings the heaviest expenses as we try to get veg out of wet, windy and muddy fields
- We are hoping to increase the number of regular monthly donors. This gives us some financial stability and helps us plan for the future
- The day-to-day costs of running Gleaning Cornwall have increased in line with rising costs of living and inflation.
Where does our funding come from?
- Funding applications – Donations from individuals – Donations from organisations who appreciate the work we do
How are donations used?
- Running cost & maintenance of our four 4×4 pickup trucks & two tailers we use to get veg out of the fields
- Salaries (currently, 5 part-time gleaning coordinators)
- Mileage expenses for volunteer drivers to distribute veg
- Training in First Aid, Manual Handling, Health and Hygiene, Safeguarding & trailer driving
Insurance – Equipment – Storage – Promotion
Gleaning Cornwall runs entirely on donations. Your donation ensures local surplus produce gets to those most in need. All food is given to organisations feeding people in food insecurity, we never make any charge
Ways to Donate to Gleaning Cornwall
Paypal
You can use the Paypal donate button on this page.
Gleaning Cornwall is run under the financial umbrella of Regenerative Food and Farming Community Interest Company and whilst 100% of you donation will go to Gleaning Cornwall, Regenerative Food and Farming CIC administer this on our behalf.
Through your Bank
You can email
gleaningcornwall@gmail.com and we can send you bank details of where to set up payments
ONE OFF OR MONTHLY DONATIONS
We appreciate any regular giving as it helps us plan ahead and cover general costs and salaries.
Thank you for your support
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