A brief history of gleaning
In Oregon
Gleaning in Oregon started in 1972 when Monica Belcher, a Washington County woman saw unharvested fruits and vegetables going to waste in farmers' fields. Belcher developed gleaning guides and taught people how to harvest leftover crops and how to prepare and preserve fruits and vegetables.
Today, gleaners gather food and firewood not only from fields and orchards but from grocery stores and commercial food operations—wherever food is processed and sold. In exchange, growers may receive a state income-tax credit for the crops they donate to gleaning organizations.
Read a summary of significant events in Oregon's gleaning history.
Gleaning throughout history
The story of Oregon’s gleaning groups is only a recent chapter
in the history of this ancient practice. Gleaning has been a favored
subject of painters for centuries. Perhaps, the most famous work
is The Gleaners by Jean Francois Millet. But other artist,
including Jules Breton and Henri La Thangue, have portrayed gleaners
on canvas.
Gleaners throughout Oregon are proud to take part in such an ancient and honored tradition. They only wish the need were not so great.
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