Waste not, want not
What is a Gleaner?
We have one mission: To reclaim and use food that would otherwise go to waste.
Our goal is to reduce the amount of edible food wasted in Whatcom County. With the cooperation of grocery stores, restaurants, and farms, we collect food they no longer wish to sell for various reasons: a recent expiration date, surplus stock, or damaged produce. Typical donations include slightly dented canned goods, lightly bruised fruit, and day-old bread.
Who we are
Gleaners are everyday people, food preservers, and recyclers from all walks of life. We have diverse backgrounds, with members who are working, retired, or unemployed, and families of all sizes. Each member of the Gleaners Pantry Co-op is united in the goal of reducing edible food waste in Whatcom County. We share knowledge on preservation techniques, budgeting ideas, gardening, recycling, dehydrating, composting, and alternative methods to traditional means.
Gleaners Pantry also offers a growing lending bank with items for members to use, such as water bath canners, dehydrators, meat and vegetable grinders, tortilla presses, and canning books/guides.
Join us!
Ready to become a gleaner? It’s not for everyone—reclaiming food that’s about to be thrown away can be hard, messy work. But it’s rewarding. You’ll learn about new foods, discover preservation and preparation methods, and meet people from all walks of life who also believe in reducing food waste.
What our members say
Jane S. "Canning squishy and excess produce has been a game-changer for my family. We've learned to preserve and share recipes, reducing our grocery bills and enjoying healthier meals."
Diane R. "Joining Gleaners Pantry introduced me to dehydrating and composting. It's amazing to see how much food we can save and repurpose. Plus, I've met wonderful people who share my passion for reducing waste."
Linda M. "As a retiree, gleaning gives me a sense of purpose. I love sorting produce and trading gardening tips with other members. It's a great way to stay active and contribute to the community."
Carlos R. "Being part of the gleaning community has taught me invaluable budgeting ideas. We now grow our own food, dehydrate surplus, and use every bit to its fullest potential. It’s incredibly fulfilling."
Megan L. "Gleaning has opened my eyes to the waste in our food system. By reclaiming and preserving food, I'm able to feed my family nutritious meals and connect with others who care about sustainability."
Sam K. "Learning to use food that would otherwise go to waste has made me more creative in the kitchen. Sharing these experiences and recipes with fellow gleaners has been both educational and fun."
Emily H. "Through gleaning, I've discovered the joys of making homemade preserves and pickles. It's rewarding to know that we're not only saving food but also creating something delicious to share."