Volunteer Newsletter, July 14, 2004

 

HARVESTING FOR THE HUNGRY, Palo Alto, Saturday July 17:

On Saturday, July 17th, we'll be harvesting apples and citrus with the Valley of Heart's Delight.  Gravensteins, Oranges, Grapefruit, and Lemons are on the schedule.  We'll be building community, sharing the bounty with those in need right in the Palo Alto area, while reducing waste. Please RSVP if you will be joining us so we know how many homes to commit to.

Saturday, July 17th
8:30am - 12:30pm
Valley of Heart's Delight, Foundation for Global Community
222 High St, Palo Alto

Note:  This event is quite popular, please RSVP if you plan to attend.

We'll be finished picking, packing and enjoying refreshments by 12:30 p.m. If you have a truck we can either borrow or that you would be willing to drive for the event, please let us know. We could use help with carrying equipment and fruit. 

Instructions for harvesting volunteers:

  • Dress in layers with long sleeves and comfortable shoes... Long sleeves are to protect your arms from branches.
  • Bring gloves and hand pruners. 
  • Be prepared to drive or carpool... If you have a large car or truck, it's always appreciated  
  • Feel free to bring a bag/box to take home fruit for yourself. Tree ripened fruit from Santa Clara Valley... it doesn't get any better than this!
  • See our Volunteer FAQ's for more information, especially regarding children.

 

LADDERLESS FRUIT HARVESTING CLINIC & PRESERVE TASTING

Saturday, July 24th
12:00 - 4:00 pm
Common Ground Garden Supply and Education Center
550 College Avenue, Palo Alto

  • Want tips on harvesting fruit without a ladder? 
  • Want recommendations on how to harvest your own tree?
  • Want to taste the abundance of varieties of fruit grown in Santa Clara Valley captured in preserves?

Many homeowners are so surprised that there are a number of methods to harvest fruit without a ladder.  We've learned that harvesting backyard fruit trees requires a different approach than in the orchards.  Often fruit isn't thinned and trees can often be in hard to reach areas.  We have a number of techniques and tools tucked up our sleeves that even if you've volunteered with us you haven't seen yet.  Come with your fruit tree questions.  Bring pictures of your tree and we'll help to design a manageable harvesting approach for you.

What about preserves?  This year, the plums and blenheim apricots are fabulous!  The fruit is so full of flavor and it really shows in the preserves.  Additionally, our volunteers have made a concerted effort to preserve plums that are hard to find in the stores.  We have Santa Rosa, Shiro, Green Gage, Wild Plum (Red, Burgundy, Purple & Yellow), and French Plum.  Come taste and experience what Santa Clara Valley became famous for!

 

VILLAGE HARVEST TO DATE:        46,867 lbs!

We're through most of the asian plum and apricot season where there is high stress, low yields but delicious fruit.  Our numbers should climb again now that we're into Valencia orange and apple season.

 

UPCOMING VILLAGE HARVEST EVENTS:

  • Please RSVP for the dates that you're available to help. 
  • Click on the links for a map to the location.
  • In the schedule above, "SHFB" in the schedule below is Second Harvest Food Bank, 750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose.
  • The CIWP team has expanded and is continuing to go out every Tuesday and Thursday.
Date / Day Time Event Meeting Place Notes
July 16, Friday 11:30 am - 2:30 pm Preserving from the Garden contact joni@villageharvest.org if you're interested in this event Stone Fruit (aka apricots, plums, peaches, nectarines, pluots,...)
July 17, Saturday 8:30 am - 12:30 pm Harvesting for the Hungry w/ Valley of Heart's Delight Meet 8:30 am, 222 High Street, Palo Alto Stone Fruit, Pomme Fruit & Citrus.
July 20, Tuesday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Community Fruit Harvesting, Campbell, Los Gatos, Apples & Citrus Meet 8:30 am, SHFB Volunteer Room.  You must RSVP for this event and be registered as a SHFB volunteer
July 24, Saturday 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Ladder-less Fruit Harvesting Clinic and VH Preserve Tasting Common Ground, 559 College Avenue, Palo Alto Free! 
June 25, Sunday 9:00 am - 12:00 PM Community Fruit Harvesting, Mt. View, Apples & Citrus Meet 9:00 am, Mt. View CSA contact karen@villageharvest.org if you'd like to join in.
July 27, Tuesday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Community Fruit Harvesting, Los Altos, Cupertino, Apples & Citrus Meet 8:30 am, SHFB Volunteer Room.  You must RSVP for this event and be registered as a SHFB volunteer
August 3, Tuesday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Community Fruit Harvesting, TBD. Citrus Meet 8:30 am, SHFB Volunteer Room.  You must RSVP for this event and be registered as a SHFB volunteer
August 8, Sunday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm TBD - Either in Mt. View or Special Harvesting Event with Girl Scouts. TBD scheduling glitch, stay tuned.
August 3, Tuesday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Community Fruit Harvesting, TBD. Citrus Meet 8:30 am, SHFB Volunteer Room.  You must RSVP for this event and be registered as a SHFB volunteer
August 10, Tuesday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Community Fruit Harvesting, TBD. Citrus Meet 8:30 am, SHFB Volunteer Room.  You must RSVP for this event and be registered as a SHFB volunteer
August 17, Tuesday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Community Fruit Harvesting, TBD. Citrus Meet 8:30 am, SHFB Volunteer Room.  You must RSVP for this event and be registered as a SHFB volunteer

Remember that the best tasting, tree ripened fruit goes home with the volunteers, as it will be too ripe to go through distribution at the Second Harvest Food Bank. Perfect for people who like to make preserves. All dates subject to change based upon ripening and weather.

 

Cheers,
Joni Diserens
Village Harvest
 joni@villageharvest.org
www.villageharvest.org
 (650) 740-7725

 

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