FISH Gleaning Program

Turn surplus produce into fresh food for our community.

FISH partners with commercial growers throughout Kittitas County to rescue wholesome surplus produce and distribute it through our grocery and meal programs. Whether you have crops remaining after harvest or surplus produce that can’t be marketed, we’d love to talk with you.

What Is Gleaning?

Gleaning is the harvesting of surplus fruits and vegetables that might otherwise go to waste. FISH volunteers work with local growers to harvest donated produce and distribute it through our food programs to neighbors experiencing food insecurity throughout Kittitas County.
In addition to harvesting surplus crops left in the field, FISH can also accept harvested produce that would otherwise go unused.

Why Glean?

Every season, wholesome food is left in fields or discarded because it cannot be sold. At the same time, thousands of people in Kittitas County struggle to access fresh, nutritious food.

Gleaning helps bridge that gap by connecting local growers with neighbors who need healthy food.

In addition to unharvested crops, Washington farms generated approximately 251,270 surplus tons of harvested produce in 2024 that were dumped, incinerated, or landfilled. FISH may also be able to accept produce that has already been harvested.

In 2023, 6,550 people in Kittitas County experienced food insecurity. Fresh produce donations help improve access to nutritious food for local children, families, and older adults.

How the Gleaning Process Works

• Contact FISH
  Tell us about your crop, location, approximate quantity, and timing.
• We Coordinate
  We’ll discuss the opportunity and determine whether volunteer gleaning or produce pickup is the best fit.
• Harvest
  FISH coordinates trained volunteers or arranges pickup.
• Distribution
  Fresh produce is distributed through FISH grocery and meal programs throughout Kittitas County.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does crop insurance allow gleaning?

Yes.

The USDA Risk Management Agency permits eligible growers to donate crops for gleaning while still receiving crop insurance benefits, provided program requirements are met. Growers should consult their crop insurance representative before allowing gleaning of insured crops.

Are growers protected from liability?

Yes.

Federal law provides liability protections for growers who allow gleaning and donate food in good faith through nonprofit organizations.

Can growers receive tax benefits?

Possibly.

Food donations to qualified nonprofit organizations may be eligible for enhanced federal tax deductions. Because every operation is different, growers should consult their tax professional regarding eligibility.

What kinds of donation opportunities can FISH work with?

FISH works with growers in a variety of situations, including:

• Produce remaining after harvest
• Crops that are safe and wholesome but cannot be marketed
• Produce that has already been harvested but cannot be sold
• Time-sensitive donation opportunities

Every farm is different. We’ll work with you to determine whether volunteer gleaning, produce pickup, or another donation arrangement is the best option for your operation.

Who provides the volunteers?

FISH recruits, schedules, and coordinates volunteers. We’ll work with you to determine the best timing and harvest plan for your operation.

Ready to Partner with FISH?

Whether you have produce remaining after harvest or crops that won’t be marketed, we’d love to hear from you.

Elsa Peters
Grants & Development Coordinator

Phone: (509) 925-5990 ext. 1004

Email: elsa.p@kvfish.org

Resources for Growers

• A Gleaning Guide for Farmers (Download PDF).
• USDA Risk Management Agency – Gleaning Crops (Download PDF)
• Legal Fact Sheet: The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (Download PDF)
• 2025 ReFED U.S. Food Waste Report (Download PDF)