Across Anaheim and Orange County, Disneyland Resort works alongside community partners to help connect families with resources they need, year-round. From planting and harvesting produce at local farms to packing and distributing food through community organizations, meaningful community impact rarely happens in a single moment. It’s built through ongoing partnerships, shared purpose and people coming together to support one another.
Take a look at how these efforts come to life in real time.
Planting Seeds of Support with Disney VoluntEARS
Tucked in the farmlands of Irvine sits 40-acre fields that produce heads of cabbage, vibrant patches of squash and other produce. This plot of land is known as Harvest Solutions Farm, a partnership between Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, University of California South Coast Research & Extension Center and Solutions for Urban Agriculture founded in 2021.
Pallets are prepped and ready to load the day’s harvest.
Each week the farm yields 50,000-60,000 pounds of fresh produce that’s distributed to local pantries thanks to the help of dedicated community members, including Disney VoluntEARS. On Saturday mornings throughout the year, Disney VoluntEARS arrive at Harvest Solutions Farm ready to roll up their sleeves, harvest crops and help prepare food for distribution across Orange County.
Disney VoluntEARS celebrate a successful day tending to crops in the field.
“Disney VoluntEARS have the opportunity to spend time collecting produce that will go directly to local families and neighbors,” says Corporate Social Responsibility Manager Eric Benitez, who helps lead Disney VoluntEARS community initiatives.
The impact adds up quickly. In recent volunteer shifts at Harvest Solutions Farm, Disney VoluntEARS helped harvest:
- As much as 4,000 pounds of cabbage in a single day
- 1,200 pounds of zucchini during another harvest
- 4,000 pounds of squash during that same harvest
- Nearly 9,200 pounds of produce in total, roughly the weight of an adult elephant
These pallets of fresh food are then shared with local schools, senior living communities, higher education institutions and other nonprofit organizations.
Disney VoluntEARS work together to transport a full bucket of squash.
“My hope is that experiences like this at Harvest Solutions Farm leave our Disney VoluntEARS feeling more connected to the community,” shares Eric. “They’re able to show up for others in a really meaningful way.”
Together, these efforts mark the beginning of a larger journey, one that starts in the fields and ensures fresh, nourishing food can continue moving through the community.