Food Rescue | SLO Food Bank
Food Rescue
Food Rescue
Food Rescue for Our Community
San Luis Obispo County is a region of agricultural abundance, yet not everyone has consistent access to nutritious food. On top of that, plenty of perfectly edible, safe, and healthful food is sent to landfills each day. To reduce waste and alleviate hunger, the SLO Food Bank manages two food rescue programs:
Glean Program
, a fresh produce rescue program working with local farms and community residents, as well as a
Grocery Rescue Program
, rescuing directly from markets and connecting charitable agencies with near-date food from grocery chains and local markets.
GLEAN PROGRAM
GROCERY RESCUE
Glean PROGRAM
About Glean
SLO Food Bank’s Glean program rescues fresh produce that would have gone to waste from local farms, orchards, backyards, and farmers’ markets.
Then, the food is distributed through SLO Food Bank’s
network of nonprofit agency partners
and
direct distributions
across SLO County. Neighbors in need receive access to locally grown produce and specific items we don’t often purchase in bulk, like blueberries, persimmons, and blood oranges.
Additionally, we’re minimizing organic waste, which makes up
more than a third
of California’s waste stream and emits greenhouse gas affecting our air quality and climate.
How the Glean Program Works
Whether you donate crops, volunteer, or give a monetary donation to the Glean Program, you are helping to alleviate hunger in SLO County.
1. CONTACT
If you are a commercial grower or private homeowner with fruit trees, bushes, or fields that are producing more than you can harvest, our Food Rescue team can help! Donations are tax-deductible.
CROP DONATION FORM
FAQ for Growers >>
2. HARVEST
Our Food Rescue team will organize a harvest to gather the fresh produce. Volunteers
sign up for gleans online
and sign a liability waiver that protects farmers and homeowners.
FAQ for Volunteers >>
3. DISTRIBUTE
We take the rescued produce back to our warehouse and distribute it to neighbors in need through the SLO Food Bank’s distribution programs and hunger relief network.
FAQ About the Glean Program >>
Volunteer with the Glean Program
A typical glean lasts two hours and all equipment and training is provided. Check out
the Volunteer FAQ section
for our age policy, safety tips, and more!
1. REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER
Whether you’re joining us for a scheduled harvest, or interested in other opportunities, your gleaning journey
starts with volunteer registration
REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER
2. SIGN UP FOR A HARVEST
Registered to volunteer and ready to start gleaning? Check out
our Harvest Calendar
for current opportunities, updated every Friday.
HARVEST CALENDAR
3. GO GLEAN!
Upon registration for a specific glean, you’ll receive an email with directions and other pertinent details. You can also find this information in
VolunteerHub profile
VOLUNTEER ACCOUNT
More Volunteer Opportunities
The volunteer roles below offer more engagement with regularly recurring events and independent volunteer opportunities. For information on how to participate, please contact the Food Rescue & Glean Coordinator at
[email protected]
HARVEST LEADER
These volunteers are trained and equipped to lead small groups of volunteers to harvest excess produce from backyards.
Click here
to learn more about requirements and training!
FARMERS’ MARKET COLLECTION LEADERS
Every week Glean volunteers collect produce donations from farmers at local farmers markets and deliver to nearby pantries for distribution.
NEIGHBORHOOD FRUIT DRIVE
Host a Neighborhood Fruit Drive
and log volunteer hours independently! This opportunity is particularly good for students who need volunteer hours for community engagement, but anyone is welcome to participate.
Grocery Rescue
About Grocery Rescue
The SLO Food Bank coordinates the rescue of edible food from grocery stores and wholesalers throughout SLO County. To minimize transportation emissions and maximize efficiency, our network of Agency Partners performs the majority of Grocery Rescue from stores in their neighborhoods. This helps reduce waste and makes up approximately
30% of the food
distributed through our
Hunger Relief Network
How Grocery Rescue Works
Interested in donating edible food to neighbors in need? We’ll work with you to get your excess food to those who need it most.
1. CONTACT
If you are a business with excess edible food,
we’d
love to help you help those in need! Please email
[email protected]
for
more
information
2. PICKUP
Our Food Rescue Team works to match donors with nonprofit Agency Partners in your neighborhood to pick up that excess edible food on a regular schedule.
FOOD RESCUE FAQ
3. DISTRIBUTE
Agency Partners take it from there! We provide training and support to ensure they are able to get donations to those in need safely and efficiently.
FOOD RESCUE TOOLBOX
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ Navigation
Click a link below to jump to the correlating questions section
Click the question to expand the box and read the answer.
General Glean Program FAQ
Glean Program FAQ for Volunteers
Glean Program FAQ for Produce Donors & Growers
Food Rescue FAQ for Agency Partners
Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP) Reduction Strategy (SB 1383) FAQ
GENERAL GLEAN PROGRAM FAQ
How did the Glean Program begin?
The Glean program started to take root in 2010, and like so many amazing things in our community, was pioneered by a group of inspired, hardworking community members. The SLO Food Bank has played an active role as fundraiser, facilitator, and distributor of the produce since its inception and in 2011, the Glean Program officially became a program of the SLO Food Bank. Since then, it has grown to be an essential source of produce for our services, and a beloved form of volunteer engagement in the community.
GLEAN PROGRAM FAQ FOR VOLUNTEERS
How do I sign up to volunteer?
Everyone who wishes to glean must first
register to volunteer
, and then sign up to secure a spot at a harvest. Don’t see any open harvests? Don’t worry! Once you
you’ll
receive weekly emails alerting you when the
Harvest Calendar
updates
How does SLO Food Bank keep volunteers safe?
Training
Harvest Leaders educate volunteers about proper harvesting technique and safe use of equipment before the start of every glean.
Ladders
See our
Ladder Safety Video
for detailed instructions. No one under the age of 16 is permitted to use orchard ladders.
Lifting
Full produce crates and heavy equipment should always be team lifted by at least two people using the proper lifting technique
of
maintaining
a straight back
and
bending
at the
knees
Knives & Clippers
When using harvest knives, a cut-proof glove is required on the user’s non-cutting hand.
Attire & Footwear
Sun and eye protection is highly encouraged, as well as sleeves for citrus harvesting and no loose clothing. Gleaners must wear close-toed shoes.
What is the Volunteer Age Policy for the Glean Program?
Harvests open to Youngsters and Late Teens will be noted in the description of the event, and are determined based on safety and physical requirements, and equipment needed to harvest.
YOUNGSTERS ages 4-15
Harvests which indicate “Youngsters welcome” in the description are open to children ages 4-15. A guardian must be registered to glean and present at the harvest for active supervision of Youngsters and must provide a printed, signed copy of our
volunteer waiver and liability agreement
upon arrival at the harvest. Please indicate the name and age of each child you plan to bring to the harvest in the designated space upon signup. This helps us know how many helpers to expect! Equipment used by children is subject to size availability, and parent/guardian discretion. No ladder use is permitted by children under 16.
LATE-TEENS ages 16-17
Harvests which indicate “Late-Teens welcome” in the description are open to teens ages 16-17. Active adult supervision is not required. As with adults, Late-Teens must
register as a volunteer
before signing up for a harvest. Be sure to check the box indicating you are a “Late-Teen” upon signup, and provide a printed copy of our volunteer waiver and liability agreement signed by a parent or guardian upon arrival at the harvest. Late-Teens are also welcome at gleans which are open to Youngsters.
Should I bring anything with me to volunteer? How should I prepare?
Bring water to drink.
Please take care of any bathroom needs before arriving at the harvest site – it is unlikely that a restroom will be available.
We will provide all equipment needed to harvest, but you are welcome to bring your own small equipment (gloves/clippers), if you prefer.
What should I wear?
Sunblock
Long-sleeved T-shirt
Long pants
Comfortable closed-toe shoes
A hat and/or protective glasses (trees can drop debris during picking)
I completed the Volunteer Registration Form. Am I signed up for the harvest?
Not yet. You have completed the first step of giving us your contact information. Now you can visit our
harvest calendar
to sign up to glean! If there are no harvests listed, then we do not have any scheduled, or the scheduled harvests are already full. New harvests are posted every Friday and all registered volunteers will be sent an email notification when the calendar is updated.
Where can I find information about a harvest I signed up for?
After you sign up for a harvest you will be directed to a page with the property address and additional information needed for the glean. A link to this information will also be emailed to you upon signup and as a reminder the day before the harvest.
I signed up for a harvest, and now I can't go. What should I do?
The email that you receive after signing up for the harvest has a link to cancel your shift if needed. Please take a moment to complete the cancellation process; this gives someone else a chance to attend and ensures we have enough volunteers for a successful harvest.
Why are there not more harvests?
The Glean program relies on donations from crop owners, permitting weather conditions, and alignment of schedules to coordinate a harvest. These variables can all affect the number of gleaning opportunities we are able to organize. Looking to contribute to our mission on a rainy day? Consider
volunteering in the warehouse or at a distribution
Do I have to stay at the harvest for the entire time?
Since most harvests are scheduled for only two hours, we ask that you sign up only if you can arrive on time and stay for the duration of the glean.
Do you harvest rain or shine?
No. The Food Rescue & Glean Coordinator will cancel gleans in the case of inclement weather. If you are registered for a harvest that needs to be canceled, you’ll receive an email from your harvest leader. In addition to rain, the following conditions may cause a glean cancellation:
Thunder and lightning
Outdoor temperatures above 90
Poor air quality due to nearby fires
Where can I see photos taken at the harvest I attended?
Visit our Flickr page for photos from recent gleans and past harvests!
GLEAN PROGRAM FAQ FOR PRODUCE DONORS & GROWERS
What are the factors that the Glean Program considers when deciding whether to perform a harvest?
You can always reach out to our Food Rescue team at
[email protected]
to talk through your specific scenario. A few examples include:
Quality produce that is no longer commercially viable
Produce from bypassed fields
Non-machine harvestable crops
Pollinator trees in orchards or on residential properties
Secondary growth
Additionally, the SLO Food Bank gratefully accepts donations of already-harvested crops. Bins for harvesting may be available upon request.
How does the Glean Program protect farmers and growers from liability during harvest?
We properly train, supervise and hold liability coverage for all volunteers who glean with us. We are happy to provide a certificate of coverage upon request, and answer questions to help you decide if gleaning is right for you or your business. Please contact us at
[email protected]
with inquiries.
Additionally, volunteers are required to sign a form releasing the grower/property owner of liability.
What are the tax benefits of donating crops for farmers and growers?
CA provides a tax credit for all CA-grown produce donated to food banks, equaling 15% of the donation’s wholesale value. Additionally, farmers are eligible for a federal tax deduction for donated produce. For information, see the link below. Please consult your tax advisor to determine your eligibility for the tax incentives.
Summary of Federal and California Produce Donation Tax Incentives
California Tax Credit Explained
Where can I find the tax deduction form for produce donations from farmers and growers?
Federal Tax Deduction Form for Produce Donations
California Tax Deduction Form for Produce Donations (2022)
Am I, as a produce donor, held liable for possible harmful effects of my donation?
No.
The Federal Emerson Good Samaritan act of
1996
protects donors from liability when donating to a non
profit organization
for distribution to individuals in need.
FOOD RESCUE FAQ FOR AGENCY PARTNERS
How do I know if food rescue is right for my organization?
We encourage any Agency Partner interested in participating in the Food Rescue Program to reach out and have a conversation with our Food Rescue Team to see if it might be a good fit.
Considerations can include:
The capacity for safely collecting, storing and reporting rescued food.
The distance to possible donor sites.
Not an Agency Partner of the SLO Food
Bank?
Learn more here.
I’m ready to participate in food rescue, what are the next steps?
Fantastic! Please reach out to schedule a time for our Food Rescue team to come to see your facility, understand how much food you can safely store, and determine what type of partnership would be most beneficial to your Agency. We will also review and have you sign the
Agency Direct Rescue Agreement
which outlines requirements to participate in the program. Next, the Food Rescue team will begin looking for local donors that would be a good fit for a partnership, considering location and schedule as well as the type and amount of food that will be donated.
My organization participates in the Agency Direct Rescue program. Do we need to report pickups from every donor?
Agency Partners are strongly encouraged to keep records of
all
donations and reporting on rescue from most stores is required. If you are an Agency Partner currently rescuing and are unsure about reporting requirements for a new or established partnership, please contact the Food Rescue Team at
[email protected]
for clarification.
What happens if I’m unable to submit my grocery rescue reporting on time?
Our team understands that circumstances can create overdue reports and will communicate openly and clearly with partners in these situations. In the rare situation of an ongoing lack of reporting, the SLO Food Bank is obligated to notify the affected store, and offer to connect them with an alternative Agency Partner in good standing.
Our donor store(s) is not donating the type or volume of food that our organization needs? What can we do?
It’s important to understand that our food rescue agreements with donors do not dictate the amount or type of donations offered. While we do not have control over what is offered up for donation, we do have the right to decline any donation we are unable to distribute.
While grocery rescue can be an important source of food for nonprofit agencies, it is not the only source of food that the SLO Food Bank can provide. Please reach out to our Partner Services team at
[email protected]
if you are in need of additional food to serve your clients. If you are interested in setting up additional grocery rescue partnerships, please reach out to our Food Rescue team at
[email protected]
Does my organization have to accept all food donations offered from stores?
No. Food recovery organizations are not required to accept any donations and in fact, we encourage you to reject donations that are spoiled/inedible, that haven’t been safety stored or transported, are beyond your capacity to distribute, or food that does not satisfy the nutrition standards of your organization. If you are offered a donation of edible food that is too large for your capacity, or outside of your participants’ preferences, please advise store staff to contact the Food Rescue Team at
[email protected]
for help in reallocating the donation.
Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP) Reduction Strategy (SB 1383) FAQ
What are the food recovery requirements of SB 1383?
SB 1383 California Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Law is legislation geared toward lessening the amount of organic waste sent to landfills. To achieve this goal, businesses that generate food (also known as commercial edible food generators, or CEFGs) will be required to start donating surplus edible food fit for human consumption. Click the links below for more information on SB 1383 requirements:
SB 1383 General Information
Edible food Recovery under SB 1383
Edible Food Recover FAQ
Is my organization required to rescue food under SB 1383?
It’s
important to note that food recovery organizations (such as the SLO Food Bank and Agency Partners) are
not
required by law to recover donated food. The only requirement for food recovery organizations, under SB 1383, is to
maintain
records
of partnerships and report collections.
My organization is rescuing food. Do we need to establish contracts with our donors?
Agency Partners are not responsible for
establishing
or maintaining records of food rescue contracts under 1383. As the party responsible for coordination and reporting, SLO Food Bank is also responsible for
maintaining
food rescue contracts with donors in pursuance of SB 1383 compliance. Agency Partners asked to sign food rescue contracts are advised to
decline, and
direct the donor to contact the Food Rescue Team at
[email protected]
to
establish
a contract.
What is a “generator” and how do I know if a business is considered a Tier 1 or Tier 2 generator?
Also known as a Commercial Edible Food Generator or CEFG, a generator is any organization or business that generates excess edible food eligible for donations. For detailed information including criteria for determining generator status please see
Tier 1 & 2 Generator Information
on the CalRecycle website.
What are the reporting requirements for Agency Partners under SB 1383?
Although not required to collect edible food donations, Agency Partners who do collect are required to report weights of those collections. SLO Food Bank, as the coordinating entity, is responsible for collecting reporting from Agency Partners, and submitting data to the Integrated Waste Management Authority, which in turn reports to CalRecycle on a biennial basis. These reports are used to monitor progress towards the organic diversion goals of SB 1383.
I have a question not covered here. Who do I contact?
For further information regarding SB 1383 requirements, or food rescue questions in general please contact your
Food Rescue Team
at
[email protected]
ES
ES
US