Gleaning Project 2014

With fruit season just around the corner, Lillooet Food Matters (LFM) is starting up the Lillooet Fruit Gleaning Project once again. The project was created in 2012 to harvest the abundance of fruit available in Lillooet that is otherwise unwanted or unused, and to redistribute it within the community. Through this initiative, LFM volunteers connect fruit tree owners with volunteer fruit pickers to harvest any fruit that cannot be picked by the owner. Fruit is then shared with the tree owner, the volunteer harvesters, and community organizations such as the food bank.

Why should we be concerned about picking excess fruit? Through gleaning, people gain access to nourishing whole foods, which reduces food waste and improves local food security. Gleaning connects neighbors, bringing our community closer together. It also reduces bear attractants in our town, preventing human-bear conflicts and reducing the number of “problem” bears.

If you anticipate having excess fruit that you would like to be picked, or if you would like to become a volunteer harvester, please register with Angela by calling 256-0470. Tree owners need to register before the fruit has ripened to allow time for us to connect you with a harvester. Upon registration, you will be connected with a grower or a volunteer harvester to set up a date for the harvest.

Happy gleaning!