| At Buzby Farms in Salem County, sweet corn isn’t just a summer staple—it’s the backbone of a family-run operation deeply rooted in community and care. Managed by Eric and Marty Buzby alongside Eric’s parents, Andrew and Dawn, the farm spans 160 acres and supports a thriving CSA, a diverse mix of crops, and a hardworking seasonal crew. Their farm speaks for itself, but we’re especially grateful to know them through their generous, long-standing partnership with Farmers Against Hunger. For over a decade, the Buzby family has welcomed our gleaning volunteers into their fields after the first harvest—especially in sweet corn season—making it possible for nutritious produce to be recovered and shared instead of left behind. The nature of their crop schedule allows for a rare consistency in weekly gleanings, but what truly makes it work is the willingness of the Buzbys to open their fields and accommodate our volunteers with care and trust. “We know we have a product here that has value, and we know there are people out there who are in need,” Eric told us. “Farmers Against Hunger is uniquely positioned to get that work done.” |  |
Sweet corn plays a central role in why gleanings at Buzby Farms are so consistent. The farm plants around 35 successive corn fields each season, beginning in March and ending in late summer.
“When a field is ready, we pick all of the marketable ears on the first pass,” Eric explained. “But there’s often plenty of good corn left behind—ears that are just slightly under our market size. For us, it’s not worth sending our crew back for those, but they’re still perfectly good to eat.”
That’s where FAH volunteers step in, harvesting hundreds of pounds in a single visit. Bins of gleaned corn—each holding roughly 600 ears—quickly add up to thousands of pounds distributed to food banks and community partners. “It’s cool that people get to come and experience working on a farm."
Beyond the crop itself, Eric says the relationship works because FAH coordinates volunteers in a way that respects farm operations. “Every farm is different,” he said. “Some have more space for volunteers, some less. Farmers Against Hunger does a good job making sure people know where to go, when to be there, and how to work safely. That makes a big difference.”
While sweet corn offers a standing weekly opportunity, Eric encourages other farmers to consider gleaning for crops with shorter windows too. “Even if it’s not every week, there’s a lot of good food that could be put to use instead of going to waste,” he said. For farms, partnering with FAH can mean reducing the labor and cost of second harvests, putting surplus to better use, and strengthening connections with the community.
By stepping in to handle the logistics—from organizing volunteers to coordinating distribution—Farmers Against Hunger helps ensure produce finds their way to people who need them. But at the heart of this story is the Buzby family’s generosity, consistency, and care for their community. That’s why, at our 2025 Gala, we presented Andrew and Dawn Buzby with the Neil Robson Farmers Against Hunger Award, honoring their exceptional efforts to feed communities across New Jersey. Their commitment to opening their farm to our volunteers is the reason New Jersey families can enjoy fresh, healthy corn every summer.
“When a field is ready, we pick all of the marketable ears on the first pass,” Eric explained. “But there’s often plenty of good corn left behind—ears that are just slightly under our market size. For us, it’s not worth sending our crew back for those, but they’re still perfectly good to eat.”
That’s where FAH volunteers step in, harvesting hundreds of pounds in a single visit. Bins of gleaned corn—each holding roughly 600 ears—quickly add up to thousands of pounds distributed to food banks and community partners. “It’s cool that people get to come and experience working on a farm."
Beyond the crop itself, Eric says the relationship works because FAH coordinates volunteers in a way that respects farm operations. “Every farm is different,” he said. “Some have more space for volunteers, some less. Farmers Against Hunger does a good job making sure people know where to go, when to be there, and how to work safely. That makes a big difference.”
While sweet corn offers a standing weekly opportunity, Eric encourages other farmers to consider gleaning for crops with shorter windows too. “Even if it’s not every week, there’s a lot of good food that could be put to use instead of going to waste,” he said. For farms, partnering with FAH can mean reducing the labor and cost of second harvests, putting surplus to better use, and strengthening connections with the community.
By stepping in to handle the logistics—from organizing volunteers to coordinating distribution—Farmers Against Hunger helps ensure produce finds their way to people who need them. But at the heart of this story is the Buzby family’s generosity, consistency, and care for their community. That’s why, at our 2025 Gala, we presented Andrew and Dawn Buzby with the Neil Robson Farmers Against Hunger Award, honoring their exceptional efforts to feed communities across New Jersey. Their commitment to opening their farm to our volunteers is the reason New Jersey families can enjoy fresh, healthy corn every summer.