This infographic summarizes the research of Samantha Schulteis, and is coauthored by Norbert Wilson and Charlotte Clark. Research findings suggest that farmers recognize social, environmental, and economic benefits of gleaning participation. Farmers in our study were most motivated to participate in gleaning due to social benefits, specifically hunger reduction. Economic benefits were not as incentivizing as expected, based upon findings from previous studies. Participants generally did not recognize the connection between gleaning and environmental benefits, such as emissions reductions. The findings suggest that gleaning organizations should place special emphasis on the hunger-reduction aspects of their work. There is also opportunity for gleaning organizations to inform prospective farmers of gleanings’ wide-ranging benefits, especially related to the environment.
