Gleaning Coordinator needed for Kent ...

Dear Kent friends and networks,

We have an exciting new position for a Kent gleaning coordinator. Please spread the word - thanks! Do let me know if you've shared.

Martin

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The Gleaning Network are recruiting!

We need your help to grow gleaning into a strong national movement, saving literally tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables from going to waste on UK farms, and donating this fresh nutritious food to local food redistribution charities like FareShare.

We're looking for three new regional Gleaning Coordinators to join our growing team, and propel gleaning forward in 2014! The roles are in Kent, Manchester and Cambridge. Help save tonnes of food from going to waste on UK farms for charity, and be a pioneer in this new national movement! You’ll be masterminding behind the scenes logistics, dealing with media, and getting your hands dirty in the fields, helping harvest that tasty produce.

For more details about the voluntary roles, and on how to apply, see our job ads here:
Cambridge: http://www.charityjob.co.uk/Volunteer-Jobs/309161/Cambridge-Gleaning-Coordinator
Manchester: http://www.charityjob.co.uk/Volunteer-Jobs/309321/Manchester-Gleaning-Coordinator
Kent: http://www.charityjob.co.uk/Volunteer-Jobs/309320/Kent-Gleaning-Coordinator

DEADLINE: 20th January

Please spread the word far and wide, and help us find our dream gleaner! Perhaps it could be you?

2014 looks like it's going to be a massive year for gleaning - we'll keep you all posted when a gleaning day comes up near you!

Viva la Glean Revolution!

All the best,

Martin

What is Gleaning?
Gleaning Network UK, recently featured on River Cottage, the Guardian, BBC Radio 4's Food Programme and Al Jazeera, and organised by Tristram Stuart and Feeding the 5,000, is an exciting new initiative to save the thousands of tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables that are wasted on UK farms every year. Farmers across the country often have no choice but to leave tonnes of their crops unharvested and get ploughed back in the soil. These crops often cannot reach the market either because they fail to meet the retail strict cosmetic standards or because of overproduction.

We coordinate teams of volunteers, local farmers and food redistribution charities in order to salvage this fresh, nutritious food and direct it to those that need it most, such as homeless hostels and charities. To date, we have salvaged numerous  tonnes of excellent unmarketable British produce, including apples, cabbages, cauliflowers, spring greens and kale, and redistributed them to charities such as FareShare and the Best Before Project. Here's some more info, our video, and pictures of our last gleaning day.

The massive potential for gleaning in the UK is illustrated by the US; for example, the Society of St Andrews has saved more than 164 million pounds of food for America's hungry since its inception in 1988, saved by over 400,000 volunteers. The UK movement is gathering pace, and we're rapidly expanding into a national network.