Once upon a time, every backyard in every quarter acre block in New Zealand, would be home to fruit trees galore. Grapefruit, quince, apple, plum, lemon, mandarin – a staple for Kiwi families who enjoyed seasonal abundance, then preserved surplus for winter months.

Now, with subdivided sections and urban sprawl, it’s not such a common sight. While there is a resurgence in home-grown vege patches and community gardens, backyards laden with fruit are becoming more uncommon than commonplace.

I spoke with Di Celliers, founder of Community Fruit Harvesting. Back in 2011 she wanted to create a modest community garden in her local church grounds (a raised garden bed, a small orchard) with the desire to provide food for those less fortunate. While she gained some success working tirelessly herself, it became apparent that this ‘little red hen’ needed help.

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On her travels Di would observe neighbourhood backyards with mature fruit trees spilling over with fruit, often rotting on the lawn. She had an idea. A brilliant one we think!  Community Fruit Harvesting was created: a network of volunteers to harvest fruit, prepare, preserve and give the finished product to City Missions, food banks, schools and charities.

Jams, marmalade, fruit cordials, chutneys…all surplus fruit is put to good use.

photo: Di Celliers, founder Community Fruit Harvesting

What started in Auckland, spread. There are now representatives nationwide. “People are just so happy to know their fruit is going to a good cause” Di explained, whose garage is jam-packed (mind the pun) of recycled glass jars ready for filling.

The group also donates produce and jams to charities such as Hospice who benefit directly from the sale of the jams. Often they will have a fundraising sale of their own to recoup costs of sugar and other ingredients, making this all possible.

photo: Community Fruit Harvesting

photo: Community Fruit Harvesting

Volunteers help as often as they choose: from picking apples, to squeezing juice, peeling/chopping and preparing the fruit ready for preserving (or to freeze), or they volunteer to do the preserving itself.  Di has a wonderful group of around 400 pickers on their books and around 80 preserve makers, making over 7000 jars in 2015 alone.

Fruit tree owners too, are needed. A simple email or phone call can have a team of volunteers harvest fruit and take it away with a smile.

Volunteers are always in demand, of course. If you wish to be involved in any capacity, do contact Community Fruit Harvesting (www.pickfruit.co.nz) and see how you can help make a difference.  A great community project.

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