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ABOUT HOPE'S HARVEST

Farm-based food recovery, also known as gleaning, is the ancient practice of collecting unharvested produce from a farmer’s fields and distributing it to people in need. There are over 250 gleaning projects across the United States, which makes gleaning a proven and well documented model for improving food security and minimizing food waste.

Hope’s Harvest started in 2018 as Rhode Island’s first gleaning project. Since then, our program has grown to include not only farm-based food recovery but also expanding markets for local growers via the emergency food system. As of 2022, Hope’s Harvest is proud to be a program of Farm Fresh RI — bringing fresh, nutritious, locally grown produce to our neighbors in need. Read our latest news →

This work is made possible in part by the Rhode Island Foundation, RI Department of Environmental Management, Point32Health Foundation, and other generous sponsors and individual donors.

To improve the livelihoods of local farmers, increase food security for our most vulnerable residents, and get everyone engaged in strengthening the food system by eliminating on-farm food waste in Rhode Island.

Subscribe to our newsletter for project updates and to learn how you can bring more fruits and veggies to your neighbors in need.

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Our Team

Shannon Hickey
Assistant Director
of operations

Shannon is the main point of contact for farmers who want to donate produce. She coordinates and leads our gleaning trips and manages communications to volunteers and our social media.

Vincent Rivera
Gleaning Associate

Vincent is hands-on in the fields working with volunteers to harvest crops for our hunger relief agency partners throughout the state.

Ally Jennings
Assistant director of
hunger relief

Ally works with Market Mobile to ensure all of the food Hope’s Harvest brings in is distributed widely to our dozens of partner agencies through a variety of state and federal programs.

Jillian Caruso
Gleaning Associate

On any given day, you'll find Jill working alongside volunteers in the fields, helping harvest crops that are distributed to food agencies across Rhode Island

Breanne Penkala
Hope's Harvest
Operations Manager

Breanne is a critical member of the team both behind the scenes and in the fields. She coordinates gleaning trips and is responsible for communication with volunteers and social media.

Skylar Botelho
Gleaning Associate

Skylar leads volunteers in hands-on harvesting efforts, ensuring fresh, local produce reaches our partner agencies supporting hunger relief across the state.