West Seattle Community Gleaning Day is set to return on Saturday, September 13, 2025, as a vital local initiative focused on reducing food waste and supporting hunger relief efforts. This community-driven event aims to ensure that perfectly good food reaches those in need rather than going to waste.

The day features two primary methods of food recovery:

• Farmers Market Collection: Volunteers will gather surplus fresh produce from vendors at the West Seattle Farmers Market after it closes. This collected food is then donated to local food banks and community organizations.

• Fruit Tree Harvesting: Volunteers will also be dispatched to harvest ripe fruit, such as apples, pears, plums, and quince, from thousands of local trees and vines in West Seattle that would otherwise go uneaten. This harvested fruit is then transported to local food banks to benefit neighbors in need.

The initiative highlights several key benefits:

• Food Recovery: It prevents good fruits and vegetables from being wasted.

• Community Support: It provides nutritious food to neighbors who are in need.

• Sustainability: It promotes environmentally responsible practices by redirecting excess food.

Residents interested in volunteering their fruit trees for harvesting can complete the Gleaning Interest Form by August 23. The form can be found HERE.

The West Seattle Community Gleaning Day is sponsored by the Rotary Club of West Seattle.

Additional partners supporting this effort include CITY Fruit, WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK, Scouting America, WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK, and Chief Seattle Council