The harvest season is here. Harvest Rescue, a program of the Nelson Food Cupboard Society, is welcoming community members to help spread the abundance of fresh produce in our community.
Last year, we supplied over 10,000 pounds of local, and mostly organic, produce to local social service agencies in a barrier-free manner.
Harvest Rescue is about more than food though; it is about empowering people, nourishing community, and preserving our environment.
Volunteers develop new skills and friendships, in addition to keeping a portion of the harvest, and the program also helps to reduce interactions with bears.
Volunteer as a donor, or as a picker. Those with a surplus of fruit, nuts and veggies are asked to donate to the program.
Our co-ordinator will arrange a time for trained pickers to come and harvest your surplus.
Typically, the harvest is divided into thirds, with a third going to the property owner, a third to the Food Cupboard, and a third to the volunteers.
We welcome produce of all kinds, including fruit, greens, and root vegetables.
Please register your fruit trees and veggie patch in advance to ensure available pickers and that the produce is not overripe.
To register produce for picking, to volunteer, or to have a donation picked up, please contact Jen, Harvest Rescue co-ordinator, at 250-551-VEGE (8343), send an email to harvestrescue@gmail.com, register through our website at harvestrescue.org.
Fresh produce, including Grow-A-Row donations, can also be dropped off at the Food Cupboard on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Happy harvesting!