1994 – 2024
30 Years of Harvesting and Sharing
Fighting Food Insecurity
We feed the hungry by gathering surplus crops and unsold groceries for food distributors across San Diego County. Help us by volunteering, donating or both!
Latest News
Join Our Mission as Board Secretary!
Are you passionate about reducing food waste and supporting seniors? Consider joining the Senior Gleaners of San Diego County Board of Directors as our Board Secretary and make a direct impact on our mission to provide quality food to those in need while engaging seniors in meaningful activities.
As a Board Member and Secretary, you’ll play a key role in setting strategic direction, supporting fundraising efforts, and overseeing the organization’s operations. Key duties include taking minutes at quarterly meetings, managing correspondence, and assisting with policy development. This vital volunteer role also involves acting as an ambassador for Senior Gleaners of San Diego County, participating in outreach activities, and making an annual financial contribution. Board members are essential to our community-driven work and are expected to commit to serving for a minimum of two years.
Apply today to help us reduce food waste and support seniors in San Diego County.
Senior Gleaners Honored by ABC 10News with their Leadership Award
We are honored to be recognized with the prestigious 10News Leadership Award, which has celebrated exceptional individuals and organizations in San Diego for over 40 years. In partnership with LEAD San Diego, ABC 10News acknowledges those who dedicate their time and energy to improve our community. This recognition highlights the passion, purpose, and commitment that defines Senior Gleaners of San Diego County.
Our mission is simple yet impactful: to engage seniors in meaningful work while addressing food insecurity in our region. By assisting homeowners with their overabundance of fruit, we not only help prevent waste but also provide fresh produce to those who need it most.
This initiative is a win-win for everyone involved. Seniors stay active and connected, homeowners contribute to a greater cause, and local families receive nutritious food. Through these efforts, Senior Gleaners continue to strengthen San Diego, one piece of fruit at a time.
Doug Cooper Joins Board
Doug Cooper, a long time resident of the Kensington neighborhood of San Diego, has joined the Board of Directors of Senior Gleaners.
Doug Cooper co-founded a software company called Contigo Software in the 1990’s and also co-founded a high technology PR firm called Cooper/Iverson Marketing. During his retirement, he has been teaching English to immigrants in Tijuana and online, and has worked for a variety of non-profit and community organizations. He also served on the Board of Directors for Voices of Our City Choir, San Diego’s homeless choir. Doug holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations & Marketing and a master’s degree in International Business. He states: “I’m active and engaged in a lot of great organizations and I welcome the opportunity to help build and support the important work of Senior Gleaners!”
San Diego Senior Gleaners Achieves Gold
Seal of Transparency! 
We are thrilled to announce that San Diego Senior Gleaners has officially progressed from the Silver Seal to the prestigious Gold Seal of Transparency with Candid! 🌟 This achievement reflects our commitment to transparency and accountability in serving our community. Thank you for your continued support! ❤️
Volunteer
We welcome volunteers 55 years and above. Sign up today by completing our online form.
Donate a Crop
Our crews glean from as few as one or two backyard trees, orchards and farms. If you have crops to donate please contact us. You receive a receipt for tax deductions.
Donate Funds
We rely on grants and donations from our volunteers, their family members and residents. Please support our work with funds, vehicles and more.
Reduce Waste
About 40% of landfill volume is organic material — much of it food waste, producing harmful methane gas. Learn better ways to shop, store food and protect the environment.
Gleaners in Action
What’s a Gleaner? For centuries, gleaners have collected food that would otherwise be wasted. The term originates from landowners leaving portions of their fields or crops for the poor to glean — collect bit by bit.
We Made Quite a Community Impact in 2023
112,885
Pounds Crops Picked
36,256
Pounds Groceries Collected
3,871
Volunteer Hours Recorded
228
San Diego County Resident Donors
Read What San Diegans are Saying About Us
Residential Fruit Donor
“I rely on the gleaning crew to help me pick my trees. I donate in memory of my wife who planted them many years ago.”
Leonard S.
Senior Volunteer
“Why I like gleaning: It’s useful, fun, outdoors, reduces waste, feeds people. When picking I’m enmeshed in layers of generosity: from those who grow the food; from pickers who give time, work, gas; from distributors; and from many recipients who share the food with family and neighbors.”
Anne G.S.
Monetary Donor
“My daughter is one of your volunteers and she feels strongly about the organization.”
Linda L.
Surplus Food Distributor
“Our clients are delighted to see fresh fruit and more-so when they learn it was donated and picked by neighbors.”
Angela W., Heaven’s Windows
Your Questions Answered
What does the Senior Gleaners organization do?
We provide quality food, otherwise wasted, to those needing it the most while giving meaningful activity to seniors.
How can I contribute to Senior Gleaners?
Volunteer to harvest crops, collect groceries, donate equipment and funds or employ special skills to support our mission.
How do I get started at my first glean?
After you register, a crew leader will contact you and assign you to a glean. They will also provide a brief orientation with helpful tips and information about the property. New grocery volunteers join crews using their own vehicles or a Senior Gleaners van.
Want to give us a try before joining or bringing a friend?
Get a Guest Waiver and give it to the crew leader at the glean. We also require the waiver for ALL minor guests who must be at least five years old.
How are gleans planned?
Our system assigns donors to the crew leader covering their geographic area. We meet or speak with crop owners and discuss logistics before scheduling the glean.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
Email info@seniorgleanerssdco.org or call 619.633.9180. We are always happy to assist you.
