🍃 Join Us for the Great Cucumber Gleaning Event!
This October, we’re heading back to the greenhouses of the Lea Valley for a joyful, hands-on day of harvesting cucumbers, sharing food, and celebrating the power of community.
What’s Gleaning?
It’s the act of harvesting food that would otherwise be wasted - and there’s a lot of it. When the season ends, growers clear what they can, then pull out and shred the plants. But we know there’s still tonnes of edible cucumbers left behind — and we’re on a mission to rescue them!
Why We’re Doing This
Every cucumber represents time, care, energy, and resources. We want to respect that - not let it go to waste. In July, we ran a pilot day, rescuing leaves, baby cucumbers, and the “odd” ones. Now, we’re back to finish the job.
How the Cucumbers Will Be Used
Everything we glean will either be:
- Sold to businesses/individuals to fund our ongoing food rescue work, or
- Donated to food community organisations
- Taken home by you folk!
What to Expect on the Day
🧤 We’ll provide all the tools and guidance you need
🌱 Learn about cucumbers, surplus, and our work in the food system
👩🍳 Enjoy a plant-based, cucumber-inspired lunch (which we’ll make together!)
🥒 Harvest in both the morning and afternoon — come for the whole day or just part of it
Important Info
📅 Date TBC — the growers’ end date depends on the plants. We’ll confirm as soon as we know and check it works for you.
📍 Location may change slightly, but it will stay within the same area.
Bring your friends, bring your curiosity, and come ready to get stuck in.
Let’s rescue food, have fun, and honour the humble cucumber — together.
