VOLUNTEER WITH US
We would be knowhere without our volunteers!
Volunteers are at the heart of Gleaning Cornwall, working to harvest and distribute produce that would otherwise go to waste. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends, enjoy the great Cornish countryside and share jolly banter.
BECOME A PART OF OUR FANTASTIC COMMUNITY
“I love the people I glean with. They are an amazing, interesting and wonderful bunch of people who, like me, enjoy being out in the fresh air in all weathers!”
You could be part of a community that is combating food waste and helping to feed people.
Our coordinators will ensure your safety, are trained in First Aid and Manual Handling as well as making cups of tea!
Our ‘in the field’ volunteers could be harvesting on farms from Sennen near Lands End, right up to Launceston and Torpoint on the Devon border.
Our dedicated volunteer drivers are an essential part of our operation, ensuring produce gets from field to hungry tums in the shortest possible time.
Maybe getting out in the field is not for you! We have lots of other volunteer opportunities. Why not get involved in fundraising or writing stories for our website. Tell us what your strengths are and get involved.
WORK WITH US
Gleaning (Field) Volunteer
Where? Gleans crop up, across the county, although predominantly in mid and West Cornwall, you can find them advertised on our social media pages.
When? Due to distribution this is usually Monday and Tuesday, the occasional weekend. We glean for 2-3 hours and a lot of volunteers take produce back to their local community to combat food poverty in their area.
Please ensure you are well prepared with suitable clothing, waterproofs and wellies. Remember to bring a drink to keep you well hydrated and a snack to give you energy.
Distribution Volunteer
Gleaning Cornwall’s network aims to reduce transport emissions. So, if you drive a regular route or if you know someone who does and they would be willing to occasionally add a few minutes extra onto their journey, please get in touch.
We distribute gleaned goods to hubs, food banks, or community kitchens county wide.
Fundraising Volunteer
We need support with fundraising and are looking to form a group of volunteers to do this. You would be collaborating with a team on events, fundraising ideas, as well as contacting donors, thus ensuring the continued stability of Gleaning Cornwall.
Become a trustee
Gleaning Cornwall is looking to transition from a CIC to Charitable status. We are looking for people to join our board of trustees who are passionate about the work we do and that have skills and experience that would benefit the continued growth and stability of Gleaning Cornwall
Hi, we would love to hear from you.
If you are interested in helping out with a glean then please use the green button
OUR VOLUNTEERS
Gleaning Cornwall would not be a success without the hard work of our fantastic team! They give up an incredible amount of their own time researching, coordinating, liaising, planning, gleaning and distributing produce across the county to those in need.
‘So glad i’m on board’
Pip
In our village church we have a “Give and take shelf” where, since Covid times, people have left donated food items for others in need to take anonymously. Since I began volunteering with the gleaning team I have been leaving a crate of freshly gleaned produce there, and posting photos on the village Facebook page. I also include information on where it has come from and include a link to the Gleaning Group…
‘Long may they continue!’
David
“I first heard of the Gleaners through my late wife, she was a committed environmentalist of longstanding, Sadly, she was not well enough to join herself & on her passing I took up the mantle,
got rid of the car and try to live with as low an impact as possible.
I’m so sorry we live in such an uncertain and unkind world…
‘I’m grateful to the whole community of gleaners for the incredible work they do’
Hilda
“I have always foraged and gleaned but walking about the countryside I was both puzzled and horrified by the amount of agricultural wastage: occasionally, whole fields left unharvested because a supermarket had reneged on its contract with a farmer; routinely, vast quantities of perfectly good produce left to rot because the supermarkets only wanted vegetables of a very specific size and shape.
‘Something so small makes SUCH a huge difference’
Jenny
“I heard about Cornwall Gleaning from a neighbour. Love that I am doing something that is combating food waste and helping to feed people. Fresh, healthy food that otherwise would have been ploughed back into the land.
I love the people I glean with. They are an amazing, interesting and wonderful bunch of people who, like me enjoy being out in the fresh air in all weather’s! I really look forward to seeing everyone each week.
‘I love working outdoor’
Sally
“I heard about gleaning through a friend and thought I’d give it a go. My first glean was organic cauliflowers. I was absolutely astounded at the amount of beautiful caulis we picked that would otherwise have gone to waste. From that first glean I was hooked. It never ceases to amaze and anger me seeing the amount of good food that goes to waste especially in light of the poverty in this country. I love working outdoors with likeminded people doing something that feels so worthwhile.”
Jenny
“I heard about Cornwall Gleaning from a neighbour. Love that I am doing something that is combating food waste and helping to feed people. Fresh, healthy food that otherwise would have been ploughed back into the land.
I love the people I Glean with. They are an amazing, interesting and wonderful bunch of people who, like me enjoy being out in the fresh air, in all weather’s! I really look forward to seeing everyone each week.
We are led by a wonderful team leader who is just a very lovely person.
In a nutshell. being able to do something so small makes SUCH a huge difference.
Jenny James
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