Founded in April 1999, Gainesville Harvest is modeled after Kentucky Harvest, a successful volunteer food distribution organiztion founded in Louisville, Kentucky. Hundreds of churches, synagogues and community groups have opened their doors to feed the hungry while hundreds of restaurants and commercial kitchens donate "overages" of nutritious food. Gainesville Harvest has joined with Kentucky Harvest and numerous other Harvest organiztions around the country as part of USA Harvest.

Gainesville Harvest distributes leftover food free of charge to certified network agencies. An agency must file an applicaiton and receive an on-site inspection by a trained Gainesville Harvest volunteer in order to qualify as a recipient. Gainesville Harvest attempts to solicit food contributions that will best help to meet the receiving agency's specific food needs. Although Gainesville Harvest distributes food donaitons, the receiving agency determines suitability, use, etc. The receiving agency signs a release accepting the food and reserves the right to dispose of any food they deem unsuitable.