Food Forward

Organization Description

Food Forward rescues fresh local produce that would otherwise go to waste, connecting this abundance with people in need, and inspiring others to do the same. 

HARVEST FOOD • FIGHT HUNGER • BUILD COMMUNITY

We are a volunteer-powered group of Southern Californians who are passionate about making change around hunger in our community.
   
We convene at private properties, public spaces, and farmers and wholesale markets to recover excess fruits and vegetables, donating 100% to local direct-service agencies who feed our community’s most vulnerable. Combined, our diverse distribution partners provide food to over 100,000 clients a month across Southern California. 

Program Information

Food Forward fights hunger and prevents food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people experiencing food insecurity, and inspiring others to do the same. We recover produce across LA and Ventura counties through our two volunteer-run programs, Farmers Market Recovery and Backyard Harvest. The recovered produce is provided free of charge to ~350 local hunger relief agencies, who then distribute it directly to community members.

All students, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation, are open and welcome to participate.

Health & Safety

CSULB students would train as Glean Team Leaders (GTLs), volunteers who lead produce recovery events called "gleans" at farmers markets. GTLs lead with other trained GTLs or general volunteers from the local community. Food Forward gleans are open to general volunteers 12 and older, though anyone under 16 must volunteer with a parent or guardian. Food Forward general volunteers come from many different backgrounds and may experience a visible or invisible disability. While we ask that volunteers stay home when sick, we cannot guarantee that everyone follows those instructions. The farmers market is a public place, so there may be others who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Additional requirements and/or considerations
  • Background Check (e.g. fingerprinting/livescan, driving record)
  • Must be 18 or older
Address 
7412 Fulton Ave., Suite 3
North Hollywood, CA 91605
United States
General Phone 
(818) 764-1022
Website:
http://www.foodforward.org
Student Contact 
Name
Taylor Crotty
Job Title
Volunteer Coordinator
Phone
(818) 764-1022 Ext. 1
Email
volunteer@foodforward.org

Current Opportunities

Title Program Start Date Location Type
Food Forward Glean Team Leader Service Learning Ongoing On-site
View all opportunities here
Program(s) 
Service Learning
Organization type 
Human, Social, or Employment Services (Nonprofit)
Focus Population(s)
People Experiencing Material Poverty
Focus Area(s)
Food & Housing Security, Natural Resources, the Environment, and Ecosystems
Additional Focus Area(s)
Wellness Education Programs
Hours of operation 

Torrance Farmers Market (volunteer opportunity available) -

  • Saturdays 12:15 - 2:00pm
  • Tuesdays 12:15 - 2:00pm
Minimum required hours 
20
Maximum students 
2