Food Forward, December 2

Putting our surplus food to use

Come learn about the Food Forward Backyard Harvesting Program, Farmer's Market Recovery Program, and other ways to help make an impact in Southern California by getting fresh fruits and vegetables to those needing them most. Food Forward volunteers will teach booth visitors about harvesting equipment, such as fruit pickers, fruit harvesting gloves, and pruning/cutting tools. 


Food Forward is a volunteer powered grassroots group of Angelenos who care about reconnecting to our food system. Food Forward’s vision is to reconnect our community with the abundance of food already present in our everyday lives, while creating change around the issues of urban hunger, food waste and food justice. 

Food Forward’s mission is to reconnect people with people – through food – by bringing together volunteers and neighbors to share in the gleaning and distributing of locally grown food from private homes and public spaces which is then distributed to local food pantries and organizations serving those in need.

Food Forward volunteers convene at properties they've been invited to and harvest their excess fruits and vegetables, donating 100% to local food pantries across southern California. Combined, their numerous distribution partners provide food to over 40,000 clients a month across Southern California. 

Since forming in 2009, they've harvested hundreds of properties with 100% of what they pick going to feed the hungry. See their total harvested poundage to date counter on their home page.