HARVEST HANDS: A HOPEFUL FUTURE
CASE STUDY SOLUTION
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SYNOPSIS
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Jim Collins, executive director of Harvest Hands, was very active in the day-to-day operations of Harvest
Hands, but he also bore the responsibility for planning for the registered charity’s future. Jim, together with
his wife, Jacintha Collins, and daughter Amy Collins, founded Harvest Hands in 2020 in St. Thomas, Ontario.
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In less than three years, their organization distributed over $7.6 million in rescued food to food banks,
missions, and over 120 local agencies. This was an impressive accomplishment for a volunteer-run charity.
tio
Their policy of “We never say no” was quickly pushing the capacity limits of the organization and Jim needed
to consider the options for expanding Harvest Hands to keep up with both growing demand and supply.
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This case offers a unique opportunity to explore the role of operations and leadership values in a growing
charity that aims to solve two of the most pressing issues of food waste and food insecurity. Harvest Hands
So
has been very successful against nearly every measure, but they are struggling to maintain their growth.
OBJECTIVES
• Clearly articulate the value for a registered charity addressing social issues.
• Explain concepts, such as centralization and decentralization.
• Assess operational expansion options for a distribution business.
• Understand leadership values’ effect on managing a growing organization.
The Case Solution Starts From page 4
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ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS
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1. What is the issue in this case, and why is growing Harvest Hands so important to Jim, Jacintha, and
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Amy Collins?
2. In your opinion, how is Harvest Hands creating social and economic value. Is this sustainable?
3. How would you assess the options provided in the case, and are there any additional options that you
would consider?
4. What decision would you make if you were in Jim Collins’ position and why?
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tio
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ANALYSIS
1. What is the issue in this case, and why is growing Harvest Hands so important to Jim, Jacintha,
and Amy Collins?
Jim Collins works alongside his wife Jacintha and their daughter, Amy, the director of Administration. The
family noticed the severity of food insecurity during 2020 when COVID-19 was in full effect. Their local
The Case Solution Starts From page 4
, e
pl
m
Sa
n
tio
2. In your opinion, how is Harvest Hands creating social and economic value? Is this sustainable?
Harvest Hands is doing a lot of good for the community. In three years, they have salvaged $7.6 million in
lu
food that would otherwise go to land fill and add to the greenhouse gas emissions. The salvaged food also
provided millions of healthy meals to the most vulnerable. Students could reasonably assume that each
meal would include between $3–$5 worth of food, which would be almost 2 million meals. Given the
So
population of the local community, at only 42,840, this is a significant impact. But as Harvest Hands
expanded to a radius of 250 kilometres, it became clear that demand was also growing. If one in seven
people experience food insecurity, that could suggest a need for several hundred thousand meals a day.
Sustainability is a more challenging issue. The charity could not survive without the support of the Harvest
The Case Solution Starts From page 4
CASE STUDY SOLUTION
e
pl
SYNOPSIS
m
Sa
Jim Collins, executive director of Harvest Hands, was very active in the day-to-day operations of Harvest
Hands, but he also bore the responsibility for planning for the registered charity’s future. Jim, together with
his wife, Jacintha Collins, and daughter Amy Collins, founded Harvest Hands in 2020 in St. Thomas, Ontario.
n
In less than three years, their organization distributed over $7.6 million in rescued food to food banks,
missions, and over 120 local agencies. This was an impressive accomplishment for a volunteer-run charity.
tio
Their policy of “We never say no” was quickly pushing the capacity limits of the organization and Jim needed
to consider the options for expanding Harvest Hands to keep up with both growing demand and supply.
lu
This case offers a unique opportunity to explore the role of operations and leadership values in a growing
charity that aims to solve two of the most pressing issues of food waste and food insecurity. Harvest Hands
So
has been very successful against nearly every measure, but they are struggling to maintain their growth.
OBJECTIVES
• Clearly articulate the value for a registered charity addressing social issues.
• Explain concepts, such as centralization and decentralization.
• Assess operational expansion options for a distribution business.
• Understand leadership values’ effect on managing a growing organization.
The Case Solution Starts From page 4
, e
pl
ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS
m
1. What is the issue in this case, and why is growing Harvest Hands so important to Jim, Jacintha, and
Sa
Amy Collins?
2. In your opinion, how is Harvest Hands creating social and economic value. Is this sustainable?
3. How would you assess the options provided in the case, and are there any additional options that you
would consider?
4. What decision would you make if you were in Jim Collins’ position and why?
n
tio
lu
So
ANALYSIS
1. What is the issue in this case, and why is growing Harvest Hands so important to Jim, Jacintha,
and Amy Collins?
Jim Collins works alongside his wife Jacintha and their daughter, Amy, the director of Administration. The
family noticed the severity of food insecurity during 2020 when COVID-19 was in full effect. Their local
The Case Solution Starts From page 4
, e
pl
m
Sa
n
tio
2. In your opinion, how is Harvest Hands creating social and economic value? Is this sustainable?
Harvest Hands is doing a lot of good for the community. In three years, they have salvaged $7.6 million in
lu
food that would otherwise go to land fill and add to the greenhouse gas emissions. The salvaged food also
provided millions of healthy meals to the most vulnerable. Students could reasonably assume that each
meal would include between $3–$5 worth of food, which would be almost 2 million meals. Given the
So
population of the local community, at only 42,840, this is a significant impact. But as Harvest Hands
expanded to a radius of 250 kilometres, it became clear that demand was also growing. If one in seven
people experience food insecurity, that could suggest a need for several hundred thousand meals a day.
Sustainability is a more challenging issue. The charity could not survive without the support of the Harvest
The Case Solution Starts From page 4
