Working on the Full Circle Gardens project has allowed me to see firsthand why Ozarks Food Harvest is so successful in reaching its goals every year. Food security is integral to the health of our communities. That basic need impacts so many other community issues.Dr. Meera Scarrow, OB/GYN, Mercy Hospital-Springfield & OFH board member
Nourishing Neighbors
Ozarks Food Harvest’s Full Circle Gardens department is dedicated to strengthening our community’s equitable access to locally grown food through food cultivation and rescue, outreach and garden education.
The Food Bank launched the program in 2014 by gleaning excess produce from generous local farmers. Today, The Food Bank collaborates with dozens of local partners to make a collective impact on the community’s food system, along with operating our own Food Bank Farm near Rogersville. Ozarks Food Harvest is able to make a greater impact on hunger and health in southwest Missouri by providing a local source of fresh produce, engaging the community to support and grow the local food system and by providing garden education to our network of faith-based and community charities.
Full Circle Gardens now distributes almost 90,000 pounds of fresh, local produce each year thanks to partnerships with nearly 50 produce donors and our Glean Team volunteers.
69K
pounds harvested by the Glean Team in 2023
Volunteers harvest produce from our Food Bank Farm in Rogersville and local farms and gardens to serve our neighbors in need.
20K
pounds of Plant A Row donations
Generous local backyard gardeners and growers donate more than 20,000 pounds of produce each year to support local food pantries and meal programs.
75K
packets of seeds distributed through Garden-to-Go Kits
The Garden-to-Go Kit program works to connect free garden seeds and resources to neighbors in need.
Our one-fourth acre, year-round Food Bank Farm is the home base for the Full Circle Gardens Glean Team. Assisted by Glean Team volunteers, we’re able to grow an average of 12,000 pounds of vegetables per year that go directly to food pantries and meal programs in southwest Missouri, free of charge. The Food Bank Farm serves as a space for staff, volunteers, students and community partners to grow, learn and build community around food and hunger relief.
Our deepest appreciation goes to the owners of Hippocrates Farm for allowing us to use this bountiful growing space!
Ozarks Food Harvest is so grateful for the local farmers and gardeners who donate fruits and vegetables for our neighbors facing hunger. The Full Circle Gardens department works with nearly 50 local produce donors each year who help meet the needs of our community. Special thanks for the continued support of Fassnight Creek Farm, Family through Faith, Millsap Farm, Second Baptist Church’s Victory Garden, Temple Israel, Transland Trucking Company, the farmers of the Greater Springfield Farmers Market and many individual gardeners.
To learn more about donating your extra produce or inviting our Glean Team volunteers to harvest your excess crop for donation, contact our Full Circle Gardens field operations manager Cady Wolf at (417) 834-5829 or cwolf@ozarksfoodharvest.org.
The Food Bank Farm is a hub of learning. We love creating customized educational experiences for students and groups of all ages. To schedule a field trip, please follow the Group Request link on our volunteer page and we’ll be in contact soon!
In addition to working with local farmers and gardeners to provide fresh produce to our neighbors facing hunger, the Full Circle Gardens team also provides Garden-to-Go Kits to our partner charities throughout our 28-county service area. These kits contain seed packets, a planting calendar, recipes and information on home gardening and where to donate excess produce. We’re extremely grateful for our partnerships with Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company, Seed Savers Exchange and Buffalo Seed Company for their generous donations that make this program possible. Contact your local food pantry to learn where you can access Garden-to-Go Kits.
Full Circle Gardens also offers direct support to partner charities looking to start or expand their own gardening initiatives. If you are interested in learning more, contact our garden outreach coordinator Jessica Allen at jallen@ozarksfoodharvest.org.
Use your garden space to plant and share extra produce! Simply bring your extra fruits and vegetables to Ozarks Food Harvest at 2810 N Cedarbrook Ave., Springfield, MO 65803. Please go to the Agency Entrance near Packer Road. We will get your garden-fresh produce out to our neighbors facing hunger. We accept produce donation drop-offs Monday - Thursday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Fridays between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. We are closed on holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does “gleaning” mean?
A: “Gleaning” is the term for harvesting excess produce from farms and gardens that would otherwise go to waste.
Q: Can I bring my child to The Food Bank Farm?
A: Children under the age of 16 are welcome at our Food Bank Farm as long as an attentive parent/guardian accompanies them. Please make sure to register your child as a volunteer so we can do our best to organize and age-appropriate task for them.
Q: Are there volunteer opportunities in the winter?
A: Gardening and gleaning volunteer opportunities are not as numerous in the winter, but we host sessions at The Food Bank Farm on Thursday afternoons throughout the year, weather permitting.
Q: If I don’t want to work outside, are there other opportunities to volunteer with Full Circle Gardens programs?
A: During the winter months, we host seed sorting and repacking sessions at The Food Bank warehouse for our Garden-to-Go Kit program. See all available opportunities when you sign up to volunteer.
Q: Where does the harvested food go?
A: We operate on a farm-to-pantry model, which means that as soon as food is harvested, it’s typically brought directly to one of our partner charities, free of charge, to distribute to our neighbors seeking food assistance.
Q: Do I need gardening experience to volunteer?
A: No! We welcome volunteers at all skill levels.
Q: I have limited mobility. Can I still volunteer at the farm?
A: We do our best to find projects for folks with varying abilities. Please contact fullcirclegardens@ozarksfoodharvest.org before a volunteer session to help us determine whether or not we can accommodate you.
Q: Where can I donate excess produce?
A: You can bring produce donations directly to Ozarks Food Harvest’s distribution center at the Agency Entrance near Packer Road. Donations are accepted Mondays-Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. If you are located outside of Greene County, contact the Full Circle Gardens team at fullcirclegardens@ozarksfoodharvest.org or visit the Need Help page on our website to find one of our partner charities near you.
Q: Can you glean my fruit tree?
A: Yes! As long as your home or business is within comfortable driving distance of the Springfield Metro area for our Glean Team volunteers and the trees are safely accessible, we can come to your property with our own tools and equipment to harvest excess produce.
Q: Can I donate plant starts?
A: Yes! We happily accept donations of plant starts around the time of our plant distribution in mid-May. Please reach out to Full Circle Gardens staff beforehand at fullcirclegardens@ozarksfoodharvest.org to coordinate the details of your donation.
Q: Where can I get plant starts for my home garden?
A: Typically in mid-May, we host a plant distribution to provide free plants, seeds and other gardening resources to the public. Follow our social media pages for specific time and location details.
Q: How do I get Garden-to-Go Kits?
A: Individuals can contact their local Ozarks Food Harvest partner charity to see if Garden-to-Go Kits are available in their area. Partner charities are invited to request Garden-to-Go Kits at the beginning of spring. Ozarks Food Harvest will reach out to partners by e-mail to announce availability of these kits.
Q: I’m looking to start a community garden for hunger relief. Where do I start?
A: Our experienced Full Circle Gardens staff can help you determine if a garden is the right fit for your organization and point you in the right direction. Contact our garden outreach coordinator Jessica Allen at jallen@ozarksfoodharvest.org to schedule a consultation.
Q: I’m an educator looking to coordinate a field trip. What steps do I need to take?
A: To schedule a field trip, please follow the Group Request link on our volunteer page and we’ll be in contact soon!
Q: I received unfamiliar produce from my local food pantry. How do I use it?
A: Instead of discarding those unfamiliar foods, discover easy recipes and useful tips to prepare them at foodhero.org.
We hardly make it through the month. My husband and I sometimes go without eating so the kids can.
