For the past few months, dozens of volunteer fruit pickers have been visiting Dunedin back yards, at the invitation of the householders, to pick fruit that would otherwise be wasted.
The Community Fruit Harvest scheme has been operating since 2015, under the umbrella of Our Food Network and The Valley Project, and has picked and distributed many tonnes of fruit across the community and to food banks.
Volunteers Mana O’Connell and Maia Chambers were enjoying picking apples last week.
"It’s a really good thing to do. I love the personal connection with the people whose trees we pick, and then sharing the produce with the community," Mr O’Connell said.
The property owner, who did not wish to be named, has been part of the scheme for the past five years.
"Managing the fruit was always difficult for me, because I have had injuries, so it’s great to have the help," she said.
"And it feels good that the produce from my trees is helping to feed the community."
Community Fruit Harvest co-ordinators Karena Garratt and Tamsyn Leigh are thrilled with the amount of produce harvested over the summer.
"Word is definitely spreading out in the community, and about 75% of the properties we have picked this year are new to us," Ms Garratt said.
The produce was distributed via a range of organisations, including the Presbyterian Support and St Vincent de Paul foodbanks, KiwiHarvest, SuperGrans, Araiteuru Marae, Pataka Kai community pantries and through a trial surplus stall.
Ms Garratt said "wonderful volunteers" were at the heart of the project.
This is the second year that the Community Fruit Harvest project has received funding through the Dunedin City Council’s Waste Management scheme and the Ministry of Social Development’s Puta Ora Food Security Fund.
The Community Fruit Harvest project will officially conclude for the season with a Harvest Festival on April 30, from 1pm to 6pm, at the Valley Project.
- A preservation workshop will be held this Friday from 6pm to 9pm, at the Valley Baptists Community Centre, 270 North Rd, North East Valley. Cost $25.
