INTRODUCTION

Since May 2005, The Gleaners Coalition has delivered thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables and fruit to Olympia's hungry through food banks, meal programs, shelters and advocacy organizations.  Conceived in the fall of 2004, the coalition formed to help alleviate the harsh reality of hunger in our area.

Despite Washington's agricultural richness, roughly more than 1 in 10 people in Washington report they're not sure where their next meal is coming from - they are food insecure.  That is more than 3 times the population of Thurston County.  According to a 2003 Washington State survey (BRFSS),1 in 6 people in Thurston, Lewis, Cowlitz, Wakiakum and Pacific counties face the prospects of hunger daily.

The Thurston County Food Bank reported a 34% increase in visits between 2004 and 2005, and a 23% increase in the number of first time visits between 2005 and 2006.  The food banks clients include the elderly, disabled, low-wage and part-time workers; soldiers and their families; and children - one third of the hungry are children.

Nationwide, roughly 37 million are food insecure(USDA), inspite of the fact that nearly half of the food produced in the United States goes to waste (Timothy Jones).

By gathering and distributing the surplus from our area's farms and gardens and offering food bank clients recipes featuring gleaned food along with prepared samples and nutrition education, the Gleaners Coalition increases the availability and use of fresh locally grown produce.  

The Coalition plans to eventually open a non-profit cafe.  The Gleaners Cafe will offer an exciting menu, featuring locally grown and produced food that is affordable for everyone in our community.

MISSION
The Gleaners Coalition works to alleviate hunger and malnutrition through increasing the availability and use of fresh locally grown produce.

VISION
Our vision is of Thurston County thriving as a part of a sustainable regional organic food shed that provides for a community commons that is shared by all without hunger, homelessness or malnutrition.