Our Mission

Glean Kentucky nourishes Kentucky’s hungry by rescuing and redistributing excess fresh foods.

Let’s go gleaning!

Volunteers are our lifeblood at Glean Kentucky. So far in 2025 our staff and volunteers have teamed up to make over 870 gleaning trips to recover 221,603 pounds of produce for a total of 1,589 gleaning hours!

Learn more about volunteering

Gather . Connect . Nourish

How does Glean Kentucky work?

Gleaning means to gather small amounts from a variety of sources. Studies estimate that up to 40 percent of food produced in the United States is never consumed but ends up in the landfill. Glean Kentucky’s founders saw that Kentucky’s food system didn’t have the infrastructure in place to get excess food from point A (growers and grocers) to point B (hungry bellies), giving birth to our work. Glean Kentucky is a vital link between programs working with food-insecure populations and sources of excess fresh fruits and vegetables. By gleaning Kentucky, we help to bring food security to those without it!

Read the latest news from the Glean Kentucky blog:

A Message of Hope in 2025

by Bekah Worster | Feb 13, 2025

A painting by Executive Director, Jennifer Palmer. Dear Supporters of Glean Kentucky, I am gradually settling into my new role as Executive Director of GLEAN Kentucky, and my love for this organization continues to grow each day. The passion I’ve seen...

Growth in Community, Growth in Care

by Bekah Worster | Feb 13, 2025

Growth in Community, Growth in Care A poem for North Central by Meghan Kontic From the bustling city to the quiet countryside There is a great need To feed the hungry, to nourish their souls In our partners they seek The energy is contagious, the ambition infinite To...

Central Kentucky, You Are Loved

by Bekah Worster | Feb 13, 2025

Central Kentucky, You Are Loved A poem for Central Kentucky by Malik McCalpine Central Kentucky, you are loved by many, You are the center, you are the heart. You are cherished by Glean; Central Kentucky will always be admired by plenty. My love for Central Kentucky...

An Announcement About South Central Programming

by Bekah Worster | Dec 29, 2024

Dear supporters, As we close out 2024, we are amazed by our accomplishments and the amount of food we have been able to rescue from local grocers and farms and redistribute to those in need throughout the Commonwealth. The dedication to our mission from our staff,...

Welcome Jennifer Palmer!

by Bekah Worster | Nov 18, 2024

Glean Kentucky Welcomes New Executive Director Lexington, Kentucky – November 18, 2024 – Glean Kentucky is happy to introduce their new Executive Director.Jennifer Palmer holds a BA in Fine Art and Political Science from Cedar Crest College, an MFA in Painting...