How Do You Like Them Apples?

I received an email from Dr. Marie-France Boissonneault who recently visited Victoria.  She shared with me this wonderful community program, and I thought it would be timely to share with you all:

The Fruit Tree Project!  As I learned, Victoria was formerly B.C.’s centre for fruit production.  Many of these trees and small orchards still exist but up until recently were not being harvested.  That’s where The Fruit Tree Project comes in:

“The Fruit Tree Project links people who have surplus produce in their yards with people who have the willingness and ability to harvest it and then delivers it to people and community groups that do not have access to fresh produce. Volunteers harvest fruit from private trees that would otherwise go to waste. Fresh cherries, plums, apples, pears and other fruit (or sometimes vegetables) are then distributed through community centres and food banks, and shared among volunteer pickers, tree owners and used in value-added products whose sales help support the Fruit Tree Project.”

Last year, over 39,000 lbs of fruit were distributed throughout the community as opposed to going to waste! 

The influence that grassroots initiatives have on the world remind me of chaos theory’s butterfly effect. These small coordinated movements can change a community and alter the lives of many. 

What programs inspire you?