Calling fruit picking volunteers in Wellington
PekaPeka Orchard
Community Fruit Harvesting, the charity that provides unwanted fruit to those in need, is asking for more volunteers to
pick fruit in Wellington.
Since starting locally two years ago, the group has given more than 5,000kg of fresh produce to charities that provide
meals, food banks and school breakfast programmes, mainly through Kaibosh Food Rescue.
“As more people hear about Community Fruit Harvesting and offer unwanted fruit from trees in their back garden, we need
more hands on deck to pick it, mainly on the weekends,” says Julie Harris, Community Fruit Harvesting Wellington
Co-ordinator. “It’s a healthy, social and fun outdoor activity, is family friendly and a great way to give a bit of time
and energy to the needy in our communities.”
As early season fruit starts to grow, the charity is also asking fruit tree owners to get in touch and register their
trees for later picking.
“It really helps us and the charities we supply to can plan if we know what fruit we’re expecting to ripen and pick over
the next few months,” says Julie. “So if you know that you always have a surplus of plums, peaches, apples, pears,
quinces, citrus, grapes or feijoas, please let us know that you’re happy for your tree to be picked when the time
comes.”
Community Fruit Wellington covers the greater Wellington area including the Kapiti Coast. Volunteers or fruit tree
owners can get in touch with Julie Harris. pickfruitnthwellington@gmail.com or through Facebook at www.facebook.com/pickfruitwellington.
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