Our history

GleaND evolved out of the Gleaning Practices blueprint put forward by the Cass Clay Food Commission in 2017. The blueprint provides area jurisdictions suggested actions and policies to implement gleaning practices. The commission resolved to implement the gleaning blueprint, as it closely aligns with their objective to ensure all Fargo-Moorhead area residents have access to safe, nutritious and affordable foods.

In order to move the project forward, a task force was created. This task force consists of representatives from Fargo Cass Public Health, NDSU Extension Service, Great Plains Food Bank, and a local farmer serving as a community representative. Initial funding to set-up a pilot program was provided through a grant from the North Dakota Department of Health. A part-time gleaning coordinator was hired to assist in 2018.

2018 was a pilot season for GleaND, in which we worked with four local producers, who grew a wide range of fruits and vegetables. We were able to glean over 7,000 pounds of produce, which was distributed through charitable feeding networks throughout North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota. In 2019, we will expand the reach of the program to include growers in southeastern North Dakota.