Glean, harvest, collect, rescue, recover…..call it what you will, the Alberni Valley Gleaning Project mobilizes the community to harvest thousands of pounds of local fruit each year that would otherwise go to waste.
The program connects tree owners who have excess fruit with volunteers who pick the fruit and share it with the community. Fruit harvested by the volunteers is shared; 1/3 of the fruit goes to the property owner if desired, 1/3 to the pickers, and 1/3 as a donation to charities and other organizations that can use the fruit.
Over the past 6 years that the program has been operating the gleaning project has picked over 40,000 pounds of fruit. From 2012-2015 the project was coordinated by Heather Shobe of Eden Tree Farm. Under Heather’s leadership the project grew from a dream into a widespread community project. Having grown substantially since it’s inception, ECOllaborate Now undertook the coordination of the project in 2016 and 2017 to bring increased capacity and further develop alternative revenue streams to allow the project to expand. The biggest year for the project to date, 2016 saw the 76 volunteers engaged in the project, 74 pick ‘events’ took place, and the project harvested 15,000 pounds of fruit.
Photo Credit: Genevieve Eichstadter
The Alberni Valley Gleaning Project does more than just harvest and share fruit, it also helps to remove bear attractants and foster community resilience and social well being. Homeowners and properties are respected and picks are arranged for suitable times. A short orientation is provided by organizers and volunteers need only to commit as they are able.
To join the picking teams or to offer your trees for harvesting, please connect via the contact details below:
Email: albernivalleygleaning@gmail.com
Website: www.albernivalleygleaning.org