Boise Area Gleaners
Welcome to BAGs!
We are a collective with over four decades of gleaning experience, fighting hunger and waste one glean at a time.
Here’s what you can expect:
As a Glean Hero, you’re the one providing the food. This could be:
A small farm with an acre of corn ready for gleaning.
A local coffee shop with a veggie garden out front.
A neighborhood friend with a cherry tree bursting with fruit.
Gleans come in all sizes, and every little bit makes a difference. Even one tree’s harvest can be split among a dozen homes, supplying vital nutrients to your community.
How it works:
If you have produce you’d like gleaned, reach out to us.
We’ll have a Glean Leader hop on the phone with you to survey the crop.
Together, we’ll make a plan, assemble a glean team, and schedule a harvest.
Why participate?
Avoid pests: Unused produce left to rot can attract pests and stinging insects. Let us help you turn potential waste into a community resource—while keeping pests at bay.
Help a neighbor: The trained glean volunteers who will come to harvest your crop are often those who live close. We assign our teams based on who lives closest to the location so we keep the produce as local as possible. Be your friendly neighborhood’s Superhero!
No worries about liability: Concerned about someone getting hurt? Don’t worry. Here in Idaho, there are laws protecting property owners who allow gleaning on their land. (We’ll cite the law and explain it for peace of mind!)
Together, we can tackle food waste, support neighbors in need, and build a greener, more connected community. Join us in making every harvest count!
Join Us, We’ll Train You!
You’ve read all about gleaning and the incredible folks who offer up their surplus. Now you’re thinking, “Sign me up!” Here’s how to get started to become a BAGs Member:
Reach Out: Send us a message below letting us know you’d like to be trained. Be sure to include your address so we can match you with future gleans nearby.
Meet the Master Gleaner: Once we hear from you, our certified expert, Rachel, will get in touch. She’ll chat with you to figure out what you already know, what might need a little polish, and at least one new skill you can pick up. Rachel’s been at this for years, she’s a walking glean encyclopedia and your go-to mentor!
Get Hands-On Training: After your chat with Rachel, you’ll be added to the BAGs Volunteer Training schedule. Training typically happens during an active glean so you can learn the ropes in real time. You’ll get to ask all your questions, meet the crew, and dive right in.
Why Volunteer?
We love our gleaners and couldn’t do this without you. To show our appreciation, every summer we host a post-harvest celebration where we honor you—our Community Heroes! Plus, you’ll enjoy:
Lots of free, fresh produce.
The joy of making a real difference.
New friendships that last long after the harvest.
So, ready to join the BAGs crew? Let’s make a dent in food waste and have some fun while we’re at it!