Community gleaning: The Arboretum’s partnership with Glean Kentucky helps feed Fayette County families
The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky, managed through the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, is donating produce from its Home Demonstration Garden through an ongoing partnership with Glean Kentucky (GleanKY). The Arboretum has already donated more than 1,100 pounds of produce this year to the Lexington-based nonprofit to feed local individuals and families facing food insecurity.
Merlin Lee, GleanKY director of digital and community engagement, said the partnership with The Arboretum allows GleanKY to keep several recipient sites stocked with fresh, hyperlocal produce throughout the growing season.
“For many of our recipient sites, GleanKY is either their primary or only source of fresh produce,” Lee said. “By being able to source it from a central location in Lexington, we can limit how far it needs to be transported and help maintain freshness.”
Each week, The Arboretum staff and volunteers pick a variety of produce at peak ripeness from the Home Demonstration Garden. GleanKY then collects and redistributes the harvest directly to neighborhood pantries, shelters and community meal programs across Fayette County.
Although visitors to The Arboretum are encouraged to explore, learn and observe growing practices firsthand in the Home Demonstration Garden, staff remind the public that the produce is reserved for scheduled harvests and should not be picked from the plants.
“All grown produce is harvested through an organized schedule to maximize yields,” said Michael Wall, The Arboretum director. “Picking veggies doesn’t just take food off the plates of neighbors in need. It can damage future yields and reduce what we are able to donate later in the season.”
Many people work behind the scenes in the daily care and harvesting of the plot.
“It takes a lot of effort to keep this garden thriving throughout the growing season, and we couldn’t do it alone,” said Sumi McCarty, grounds worker at The Arboretum. “We have more than a dozen incredible volunteers who donate their time and energy to plant, weed and harvest, allowing us to send healthy veggies out to the community every week.”
Lee said GleanKY is grateful for their partnership with The Arboretum.
“We could not do this work without their help,” Lee said. “The project shows their commitment to community sustainability and education.”
Community members seeking food support or interested in accessing fresh produce through local distribution partners can contact Glean Kentucky by emailing info@gleanky.org or calling 859-444-4769.
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Story from UKNow, Sept. 23, 2026.
