Vancouver Fruit Tree Project

 

 

Roxci and Ailsa from Vancouver Fruit Tree Project were our guest speakers.  

 

 

VFTP is a small grassroots community based charity whose goal is to reduce backyard fruit waste in Vancouver and to promote food security by distributing fresh fruit to the needy through community partners.  With funding from Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogopogo and Rotary Club of Kelowna Sunrise the group was able to purchase equipment needed by the volunteer pickers.  

 

The three parties that are crucial in accomplishing their goal are tree owners, volunteer pickers and community partners. 

 

Tree owners register their fruit trees allowing VFTP volunteers to come and harvest the fruit.  70,000 pounds of backyard fruit are wasted in Vancouver every year because most tree owners do not harvest their fruit.  Fruit are left to rot.  When fruit is not harvested properly trees grow less fruit.  It seems so wrong to let so much fresh fruit go to waste while 4 million Canadian live in food poverty.  

 

Volunteers help to harvest thousands of pounds of fruit from registered tree owners. Pickers participate when they can, with no fixed commitment.  Some pick just once while others pick over 10 times per year.  When trees are ready for harvest, coordinator connects tree owners with volunteers.  Pick leader who is volunteer point of contact for tree owner, welcomes pickers, ensures everyone is safe, and helps deliver fruit to partners who deliver fruit to the needy.  Some of the fruit is left for the tree owner.  Some are taken by the pickers.  Most are donated to local Community Partners. 

 

Each Community Partners (community centres, neighbourhood houses, senior centers, daycares, women’s shelters, etc.) receives at least 1 drop off per year. Regular deliveries are not scheduled as availability of fresh fruit cannot be guaranteed.  Community partners then distribute A fruit (ready to eat) while B fruit (canning, jams) is used in workshops.  They help to provide food security and access to fresh food in dignified way (not lining up at food bank) to vulnerable population. 

 

VFTP has no office or permanent phone number.  Communication is by email to info@vancouverfruittree.com.  More detailed information can be found at https://vancouverfruittree.com.