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Disneyland VoluntEARS Unite to Fight Local Hunger Year-Round
When we think of Disneyland, world-class attractions, character meet-and-greets, and iconic snacks usually come to mind. But beyond the main gates of the Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland Resort Cast Members are working year-round to make magic in a very different way: harvesting fresh produce and helping fight hunger across Southern California.
Through the dedicated efforts of Disney VoluntEARS, the resort is partnering with local organizations to ensure families, seniors, and students in need have reliable access to fresh, healthy food.
In the farmlands of Irvine sits Harvest Solutions Farm—a 40-acre agricultural partnership established in 2021 by Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, the University of California South Coast Research & Extension Center, and Solutions for Urban Agriculture.
The farm yields 50,000 to 60,000 pounds of fresh produce every single week. To help meet that goal, Disney VoluntEARS head to Irvine on Saturday mornings throughout the year to roll up their sleeves and pick crops right from the fields.
The Impact by the Numbers: During recent volunteer shifts at Harvest Solutions Farm, Disney VoluntEARS helped harvest:
4,000 lbs of cabbage in a single day
1,200 lbs of zucchini during a single session
4,000 lbs of squash harvested alongside the zucchini
Nearly 9,200 lbs of total fresh produce—roughly equivalent to the weight of an adult elephant!
All of the harvested crops are prepped, loaded onto pallets, and distributed directly to local pantries, schools, senior living communities, and nonprofit organizations throughout Orange County.
“Disney VoluntEARS have the opportunity to spend time collecting produce that will go directly to local families and neighbors,” explains Eric Benitez, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for Disneyland Resort. “My hope is that experiences like this at Harvest Solutions Farm leave our Disney VoluntEARS feeling more connected to the community. They’re able to show up for others in a really meaningful way.”
These ongoing agricultural shifts are just one piece of Disneyland Resort’s broader initiative to support food security. From daily food recovery programs in resort banquet kitchens to annual financial grants for food banks, Disney Cast Members continue to prove that the magic of Disney reaches far beyond theme park gates.
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