FIGHT HUNGER AND PUT SURPLUS TREE FRUIT TO GOOD USE
We’ve all seen backyard and country fruit trees laden with fruit that no one uses. This fruit is valuable, and everyone can help put it to good use. NW Fruit Rescue harvests surplus apples and pears and distributes the table grade to hunger relief agencies (food banks, pantries, meal programs). Our communities are facing increasing food insecurity and the agencies are thrilled to get the donations. The #2 grade goes to Barmann’s, a local cidery, to press juice for hard cider sold with a “NW Fruit Rescue” label.
In the 2023 season, we rescued well over 17,000 lbs. of fruit with all-volunteer labor. Half was table grade fruit.
HOW YOU CAN HELP GET FRUIT FROM TREE TO TABLE
We’ll pick and deliver your fruit
Alert us that you have apples or pears for us to pick during the season. We’ll come, make introductions, and check-out your site. Harvest time will depend on when the fruit ripens. We’ll alert you before we come to pick.
2 pickers, 3 hours = 400lbs of apples
You pick and deliver your fruit
There are thousands of non-commercial fruit trees in our region, producing tons of fruit that goes to waste every year. The few organized gleaner groups in the region can only harvest a small fraction of the available fruit. So, gather some friends and family, find some local fruit trees, and in a short time, you can easily rescue hundreds of pounds for local hunger relief agencies! Directly from tree to table.
We’re glad to train individuals and groups that want to strike out on your own to fight hunger and put surplus fruit to good use. See the guidelines for table grade requirements here.
Volunteer your time and skill
Oh, thank goodness for volunteers! Some like the rewards of helping others. Some like to pick the fruit. Some like supporting a cause from behind the scenes. All have the satisfaction of giving back. Regardless of the motivation, we’d be out-of-business without you. A sincere thank you to all current and future volunteers. Contact us if you’d like to be part of our enthusiastic group.
Here are 2 other simple ways to support the mission:
“Spread the word.” Most fruit tree owners and community members don’t know that surplus fruit can be put to good use.
Or be a NW Fruit Rescue “tree scout.” If you know where there are trees with surplus fruit, let us know and we’ll contact the owner.
