Rachel's Table

At the end of August, we hosted a very special Community Partner Glean with a number of our partner organizations from around the valley. We gathered at Quonquont Farm to learn more about each other and about our work, deepen connections and glean more than 1,200 pounds of apples! Coming together in this way allowed many of us to meet in person for the first time, even though our organizations work together frequently.

Thank you to the amazing staff members and representatives from CISA, Stone Soup Café Greenfield MA, Grow Food Northampton, Hilltown Mobile Market, Franklin County CDC, Hampshire County Food Policy Council, Holyoke Food and Equity Collective, Good Neighbors, and UMass Amherst and other individuals working in farm viability, food access and healthcare/health outcomes who took the time to join us in the orchard!

We left the glean energized by new connections and excited to continue deepening our relationships and building stronger community food systems together.🍎

On Yom Kippur, we pause for reflection.

The holiest day of the Jewish year, Yom Kippur is a time for fasting, prayer, reflection, and seeking forgiveness.

At Rachel’s Table, the day also reminds us of our responsibility to one another and the importance of compassion, generosity, and caring for those around us.

May this day bring meaningful reflection, renewal, and peace to all who observe.

G’mar Chatimah Tovah.

We recently had an amazing day with leaders from M&T Bank at Easy Pickin's Orchard in Enfield, CT, where together we gleaned an incredible 904 pounds of apples to help nourish our neighbors!

Along the way, we talked about food insecurity and M&T Bank graciously shared their insight on some of our strategic questions as we continue working to strengthen long-term partnerships throughout the region.

There was plenty of laughter, a beautiful day in the orchard, and a whole lot of apples. We love Easy Pickin’s and are always grateful for the opportunity to support their work while making sure fresh, locally grown food reaches those who need it.

Thank you to M&T Bank and Easy Pickin’s Orchard for a wonderful day!

🚚 Love to drive? Drive with purpose.

Rachel's Table is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help drive our truck and delivery van, picking up food donations from wholesale and retail donors and delivering them to food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and community agencies throughout Western Massachusetts.

No special license is required, and training is provided. Most routes take place in the morning, typically from 8:30 AM–12:30 PM. Half-day shifts make it easy to fit volunteering into your schedule, and retirees are especially welcome!

Every mile you drive helps rescue good food that might otherwise go to waste—and gets it into the hands of neighbors who need it most.

Interested? We'd love to hear from you!
🔗 https://feedwma.org/give-time/

Together, we're keeping good food moving.

Last week, Executive Director Jodi Falk had the privilege of attending Glenmeadow's 3rd Annual Age of Excellence Awards!

Our local community is blessed to have so many champions across the age spectrum, each giving back in unique and meaningful ways. These incredible honorees have deepened their service, embraced new opportunities to grow and make a difference, and helped better our communities—and they continue to do so.

Please join us in congratulating Glenmeadow’s 2026 Age of Excellence Award honorees: Jean Canosa Albano, Brooks Fitch, Denise Jordan, Denise Kelcey, Liz Wills-O’Gilvie, Paul Picknelly, Margaret Toomey, Gloria Wilson, and honorary recipient Brenda Garton-Sjoberg.

Congratulations to each of these inspiring community leaders, and thank you to Glenmeadow for celebrating the many ways people continue to lead, serve, and strengthen Western Massachusetts.

As we welcome Rosh Hashanah, we celebrate the start of a new year with hope, reflection, and gratitude.

This season reminds us of the importance of community, generosity, and caring for one another. At Rachel's Table, we're grateful for every volunteer, donor, farmer, and partner agency who helps reduce food waste and relieve hunger throughout the year.

May the year ahead bring health, peace, abundance, and sweet moments for all.

Shanah Tovah from everyone at Rachel's Table!

🌱 There is abundance in our fields—and an opportunity to share it.

We’re grateful to MassLive and The Republican Editorials for highlighting Rachel’s Table and the important role gleaning can play in addressing food insecurity across the Pioneer Valley.

Through our gleaning program, volunteers work alongside local farmers to harvest fresh produce that might otherwise be left in the fields and help get it to neighbors throughout Western Massachusetts. It’s a powerful example of what can happen when farmers, volunteers, and communities come together to make sure good food reaches people who can use it.

As the editorial reminds us, there are empty tables throughout our region—and every fresh tomato, cucumber, squash, and pepper can make a difference.

📖 Read the full editorial:
https://www.masslive.com/opinion/2026/08/the-pioneer-valleys-hidden-hedge-on-hunger-the-republican-editorials.html

🌱 Interested in joining a glean? Sign up to volunteer:
https://feedwma.org/give-time/

Happy Labor Day!

Today we celebrate the hardworking people who help keep our communities strong—including the volunteers, farmers, food donors, partner agencies, and staff who make Rachel's Table's mission possible every day.

Thank you to everyone who gives their time, talents, and compassion to help rescue food and nourish our neighbors.

Wishing you a safe and happy Labor Day!

Today is National Food Bank Day. 🥫

We’re especially grateful to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts for all they do to fight hunger across our region and for their continued partnership with Rachel’s Table.

Rachel’s Table works with more than 70 recipient partners, including food pantries, meal sites, shelters, and other community organizations. Our partnership with the Food Bank helps extend the reach of nutritious food throughout our region, connecting more of our neighbors with the resources they need.

Through collaboration, food rescue, gleaning, purchasing, and Growing Gardens, we’re working together to make nutritious food more accessible throughout Western Massachusetts.

Thank you to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and to every partner, volunteer, donor, and supporter who makes this work possible. Together, we make a difference.