UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The Virginia Extension Master Gardener Program is focusing on Home Food Production in 2025 to address community challenges following Hurricane Helene in Southwest Virginia and to support food needs all across Virginia. By educating and supporting local gardeners, families, and communities, we aim to promote sustainable food systems and increase food security. Join us in this vital work to help Virginia’s gardens grow stronger and support our neighbors in need.
Working with Food Donation Outlets
Working with Food Donation Outlets: Training Volunteers: This document provides guidelines for training volunteers on food handling, hygiene, task responsibilities, and roles within food donation projects to ensure safe and efficient operations.
Working with Food Donation Outlets: Food Safety Best Management Practices: This document outlines best practices for ensuring food safety from pre-harvest to distribution, including guidelines for handling, processing, and storing produce to prevent contamination and ensure quality
Working with Food Donation Outlets: Engaging With Donors, Recipients, and Volunteers: This document provides strategies for engaging donors, recipients, and volunteers through personalized communication, open dialogue, and appreciation to foster strong, supportive relationships within food donation projects.
Resources for Food Donation Projects
- Best Food Safety Practices for Hunger Relief Organizations When Accepting, Sorting, and Storing Donated Foods
- Donating Food Through a Share Pantry
- Best Food Safety Practices for Hunger Relief Organizations: Volunteer Health, Hygiene, and Training | VCE Publications
- Do I Really Need to Wash That? A Guide to Handling Fresh Produce at Home
- Michigan Fresh Produce Donation Guidelines for Gardeners
- Iowa State Top 13 vegetables to donate to food pantries
- Liability Considerations for Hunger Relief Organizations
- Liability Considerations for Donors
- Regulatory and Liability Examples for Organizations Distributing Food in Virginia:
Guidelines for Gleaning
Sample EMG Gleaning Impact Report: this document is designed as a template for collecting information about your gleaning work. Other reporting may be necessary through BetterImpact or your local VCE office. We recommend downloading a copy for your use locally.
Additional Resources for Gleaning Projects
- Farmer and Gleaning Food Safety: “Working with Gleaners on our Farm”
- Farmers Market Gleaning Training: “Working with Gleaners at Your Farmer’s Market Farmers Market + Gleaning Food Safety Training”
- VT + SoSA Gleaner Food Safety Training
- (Poster of flow chart for Gleaning and donation) Illinois How to Donate Homegrown Produce to Food Pantries
Interested in reading a LOT more about Gleaning? We have a whole folder of resources. This would be good Continuing Education if your EMG Unit does gleaning work.
VCE Sustainable Vegetable Gardening Curriculum
content to support public gardening classes would be here
Additional Technical Resources for Growing Fruits and Vegetables
Nutrition Resources
Eat Smart, Move More Publications
Virginia Family Nutrition Program