Not Far From the Tree

 

Not Far From the Tree (NFFTT) is an organization that is helping Toronto make the most of its existing food resources by tapping an under-utilized resource - the fruit and nut-bearing trees and shrubs in the city's yards and green spaces. Almost 150,000 pounds of fruit have been picked since they started in 2008. Their system is structured to provide wins all around.

• Homeowners get their fruit picked by volunteers at the peak of ripeness, saving them time and labour. They also get to keep 1/3 of the yield and have the satisfaction of knowing that the other 2/3 won't go to waste.

• Volunteers get to spend their time enjoying the outdoors, putting their picking skills to use, and meeting other like-minded people. They also get to take home a share of 1/3 of the yield. These pears that I received on a pick were enough to make jam.

• Local community groups which partner with NFFTT, like shelters and community kitchens, receive deliveries of fresh, nutritious fruit, equal to 1/3 of the yield from each pick. 

• As an added plus, the environment benefits from the group's commitment to using cargo bicycles for deliveries.

If you have a fruit tree on your property that you aren't able to take full advantage of, consider registering with NFFTT. They currently only operate in the most central wards in the city, but knowing where accessible fruit lives will help to guide their expansion plans. Their website also has a handy fruit guide which can help you determine if your fruit is ripe. 

If you want to get in on the fruit action, you can sign up to become a volunteer. Once you register and tell them what parts of the city you'd like to pick in, you'll start receiving notifications of when picks are happening. Then it's up to you to sign up. Picks, especially for things like pears and apples, are extremely popular and it can take a while before you're successful. Having a flexible schedule and willingness to travel helps. 

If you're intrigued by this whole concept, follow them on Twitter @NFFTT. They post about all kinds of neat stuff like urban gardening, sustainability, and beekeeping, and of course you'll also find great recipes and kitchen tips. 

Thanks to Not Far From the Tree for providing the following images and permission to use them: logo and bike image