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One of the primary ways UPP utilizes volunteers in season, ranging from individuals and families to faith groups and corporate teams, involves a work session on a farm and getting one’s hands in the dirt with our gleaning program. Gleaning is a component of our rescue and recovery of fresh produce. With the help of hundreds of volunteers annually, UPP partners with dozens of farmers, two local produce brokers and multiple farmer’s markets to rescue fresh produce.
* In 2024, well over a million pounds of fresh produce were rescued by our programs and volunteers and provided to local pantries, kitchens, shelters and schools. We helped with planting, maintaining and harvesting at local farms and gardens and over 100 farmer’s market rescues were completed allowing us to share tens of thousands of pounds of fresh produce with local agencies. The volunteers provide small urban and rural farms with hours of labor that help support the growth and outreach of the farm in turn bringing more healthy produce to people throughout the KC community.
In the months when gleaning and market rescues are not occurring, UPP still utilizes volunteers to meet our mission of getting healthy produce to hungry people. Five days a week agencies arrive at the Kanbe’s Markets warehouse to receive fresh produce for their food pantry and/or feeding program. Volunteers are needed for several hours each day working with an UPP staff member to assist in the distribution by recording produce distributed to each agency.
If you would be willing to volunteer with UPP for the daily food distribution click on one of the sign up buttons below or contact the Volunteer Coordinator, catherine@uppkc.org.
Let’s Meet UPP in the Gardens
UPP utilizes volunteers to meet our mission of getting healthy produce to hungry people in a range of opportunities.
Warehouse Scribes:
Five days a week agencies arrive at the Kanbe’s Markets warehouse to receive fresh produce for their food pantry and/or feeding program. Volunteers are needed for several hours Monday-Friday working with an UPP staff member to assist in the distribution by recording produce distributed to each agency. If you would be willing to volunteer with UPP for the daily food distribution click on one of the sign up button below.
Let’s Meet UPP in the Gardens: Gleaning and Harvesting
Farmers often have produce leftover that they can’t sell and don’t wish to throw away or turn under, so instead of letting it go to waste, they donate it to feed hungry people. Gleaning is picking what is left in the fields following a harvest by the farmer.
UPP also cares for growing beds in a range of community gardens and volunteers are needed to tend these produce beds and harvest as needed.
These in the field opportunities are usually in the mornings, April – November, depending on the weather. Click on the Sign Up Now button.
If you are a group leader and have a group of 8+ and are in need of a date not scheduled – contact catherine@uppkc.org to request a group date.
Rescue and Recovery:
UPP partners with several area farmers markets to gather donated produce and distribute to a local agency the same day. Volunteers are needed during farmer’s market seasons to arrive at the market towards the close and check with vendors and farmers to secure donations. Many farmers may not have another market opportunity while produce is still usable so they are delighted to donate these fresh vegetables and fruits to help feed hungry community members. Most farmer’s market rescues require about two hours for gathering the produce and delivering it to an agency. These opportunities begin May 31 through early fall. Four volunteers are needed on Saturdays and one volunteer on Sundays.
For these volunteer rescue and recovery opportunities please email catherine@uppkc.org to receive more information and access to the market sign-up calendars.
Help UPP lower food insecurity throughout the KC metro area.
UPP will bridge gaps in the food supply chain, partnering with local farmers and food distributors to deliver fresh, nutrient-dense produce directly to food pantries and communities in need across Missouri and Kansas. This evolution, guided by ATH’s foresight and collaborative spirit, ensures the fight against food insecurity continues stronger than ever.
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