I Love to Glean is a non-profit corporation formed for the purpose of partnering with others to facilitate countywide food recovery systems that increase the capacity for recovery and distribution of otherwise wasted food to agencies serving those in need. We work directly with feeding agencies and kitchens who then distribute to end clients.

I Love to Glean now has a warehouse in Chula Vista called the South County Food Hub which provides added dry, cold and frozen storage capacities. We need the community’s assistance in getting this facility fully up and running to increase the recovery and distribution of nutritious food in the region as the need to feed people rapidly increases.

Volunteers are needed and can sign up on the Volunteers Page.

  • To pick up donations with strong backs and appropriate vehicle.
  • Pack food boxes in warehouse,
  • Tuesday and Thursday afternoons plate fish meals in Imperial Beach for distribution.

    • Donations Needed and can be made by clicking here.
    Donations are needed to pay for distribution of USDA boxes to our 38 distribution agency locations in San Diego County and to keep our warehouse open.
    Equipment Needs can be found by clicking here

    Programs

    CURRENT PROGRAMS
    1. Distribute over 51K USDA Farm to Families Combo boxes through end of year.
    2. Participate with the Fish to Families program distributing 600 fresh fish meals weekly.
    3. Assist SDFSA and groups in Imperial Beach and South County on Food Vision 2030 Project.
    4. Continue to facilitate the South San Diego County Food Recovery workgroup in planning for a large and permanent collaborative Food Recovery Warehouse and Production Kitchen in the region.
    5. Continue work with agencies to identify their capacity building needs and fill gaps where possible.

    WINTER PLANNED PROGRAMS
    1. Continue South County Food Hub activation in Chula Vista, CA. to support feeding agency logistics and capacity building.
    2. Start store recovery program to support agency distributions.
    3. Residential Gleaning (end of December).



    Equipment Wishlist



    Backyard GleaningReusable boxes (crates)
    Backyard Gleaning 5 gallon buckets
    Backyard Gleaning Garden Clippers (10)
    Backyard Gleaning Gripper Gloves (36)
    Backyard Gleaning Picking Poles(5)
    Facility Maintenancecanvas covers
    Facility MaintenanceCleaning and sanitation equipment
    Facility/Program Admin3 Chrome books, printer and supplies
    Facility/Program AdminIndustrial cell phones - 4 (2 drivers, 1 admin, 1 mgr)
    Training/MarketingMobile A/V equipment
    Transportation~24' Refrigerated Truck
    Transportation~24’ Box Truck
    Transportationfood rescue coolers/equipment
    Warehouse Equipment32 gallon cans
    Warehouse EquipmentBins
    Warehouse EquipmentDock Ramp
    Warehouse EquipmentDollys
    Warehouse EquipmentForklift
    Warehouse EquipmentAutomated pallet jack
    Warehouse EquipmentCanopies/tents (pop ups)
    Warehouse EquipmentFreezers

    Volunteers are needed to pick up donations with strong backs and appropriate vehicles.
    Volunteers can sign up on the Volunteers Page.

    I Love to Glean is fiscally sponsored by Leah’s Pantry. Donations can be made here or mailed to I Love to Glean c/o Leah’s Pantry 5794 Caminito Empresa, San Diego, Ca. 92037.

    Donations can be made via Paypal here:

    Co-Authored Reports

    San Diego Residential Gleaning Possibilities - COSD Sup District
    Report goal - to develop a better understanding of the enormous quantity of food available in residential gardens and to help organizations define and implement food recovery systems, redistribution, processing, landfill diversion and Green House Gas (GHG) avoidance in San Diego County.

    2019 Report - The State of the Food System in the San Diego Region
    Report goal - to understand what the food system looks like in San Diego county, its current state, its challenges, and areas of opportunity. The report also identifies metrics to track progress in the different areas of the food system.

    Food Donation Action Plan for the San Diego Region
    Report Goal - to support and improve food donation in the San Diego region to help address food and nutrition insecurity, while also reducing food waste, which are priorities of the Live Well San Diego Food System Initiative. This initiative supports the County of San Diego’s (County) Live Well San Diego vision of a region that is building better health, living safely, and thriving.

    Misson & History