Hart Park Grove Gleaning Program: Fighting Food Waste in Orange County

Article Summary

The Hart Park Grove Gleaning Program harvests surplus citrus from the City of Orange’s grove at Hart Park and donates it to the community—reducing food waste while increasing access to fresh, healthy food. Volunteers play a key role and can easily get involved.

What Is Gleaning?

Gleaning is the practice of harvesting excess or unused produce and redistributing it to those who need it.

While the concept dates back centuries, today it plays a critical role in solving two modern challenges:

• Preventing food waste

• Increasing access to fresh, nutritious food

In communities like Orange County, where fresh produce is abundant but not always accessible to everyone, gleaning creates a powerful bridge between surplus and need.

The Hart Park Grove

Nestled in the Orange, California community, the Hart Park Grove is home to rows of citrus trees that produce more fruit than can be consumed or sold.

Without intervention, much of this fruit would simply fall and go to waste.

That’s where Orange Home Grown steps in. The City of Orange and the Orange Home Grown Foundation partner together to support the clean-up and maintenance of the Robert D. Hoyt Historic Grove, along with the harvesting of the fruit. Easily 10,000+ pounds of citrus are harvested each year by dedicated volunteers and donated to local organizations like Abound Food Care, local Food pantries and family resource centers who help distribute the fruit to those in need throughout Orange and surrounding cities.

How the Gleaning Program Works

The process is simple, but the impact is significant.

1. Harvesting

Volunteers gather at the grove during scheduled gleaning days to pick ripe citrus directly from the trees.

2. Sorting

Fruit is sorted to ensure quality and usability.

3. Distribution

The harvested citrus is donated to local nonprofits, food banks, and community partners.

4. Community Impact

Fresh, locally grown food reaches individuals and families who may not otherwise have access.

Each step is powered by community involvement.

Why Gleaning Matters More Than Ever

Reduces Food Waste

Food waste is a growing issue. Perfectly edible produce is often left unharvested due to labor, cost, or logistics.

Gleaning ensures that food is used, not wasted.

Improves Food Access

Fresh produce is not equally accessible to everyone.

Programs like this help close the gap by providing:

• Nutrient-dense citrus

• Locally grown food

• Free or low-cost distribution through partner organizations

Strengthens Local Food Systems

Gleaning keeps food within the community.

Instead of being discarded, produce is:

• Harvested locally

• Distributed locally

• Consumed locally

This strengthens resilience and reduces reliance on long supply chains.

The Role of Volunteers

The Hart Park Grove Gleaning Program is powered by people.

Volunteers are essential to:

• Harvesting fruit

• Clearing gravity ditches and fixing irrigation

• Creating a sense of shared purpose

And the experience offers more than just service.

It’s an opportunity to:

• Spend time outdoors

• Connect with others

• Learn about local agriculture

• Contribute to something tangible and immediate

Even a few hours can result in hundreds of pounds of rescued produce.

Environmental Impact

Gleaning isn’t just about food—it’s also about sustainability.

By rescuing unused produce, the program helps:

• Reduce landfill waste

• Lower methane emissions from decomposing food

• Minimize resource waste (water, labor, land use)

It’s a simple but powerful environmental solution rooted in community action.

Start Where You Are

You don’t need experience to make a difference. You just need to show up.

Whether you volunteer, share the program, or support Orange Home Grown in other ways, you become part of a system that turns abundance into impact.

Author Bio

Orange Home Grown is a nonprofit organization dedicated to food education, environmental stewardship, and community connection in Orange County. Through its education farm, farmers market, and community programs, Orange Home Grown empowers people of all ages to understand where food comes from and why it matters—for personal health, environmental sustainability, and a stronger local community.