Glean

In the context of humanitarian food recovery, "Glean" refers to AI-enhanced logistical platforms that coordinate the collection of surplus unharvested produce from farms to feed food-insecure populations. These tools optimize the ancient practice of "gleaning" by using stochastic optimization models to manage the unpredictable arrival of donation opportunities and the availability of volunteer labor. By mapping farm locations and matching them with local food banks, the software ensures that fresh, nutritious food—which would otherwise be left to rot in fields—is harvested and distributed efficiently. These platforms maximize the social impact of gleaning networks, helping to alleviate hunger while simultaneously reducing agricultural food waste. Such tools are used by regional gleaning networks and large-scale food banks to transform agricultural surplus into a reliable source of healthy nutrition for needy families.