Volunteer Newsletter, March 15, 2005

 

HARVESTING IN SAN JOSE - Wednesday, March 16th & 30th

In the San Jose area, we're still working on catching up on the hundreds of homeowners who responded to the press in late January.  In order to "catch-up" we're putting together a couple of extra harvesting events to go out for just a couple of Wednesdays in March.  If you're available on the weekdays but can't make the Tuesday dates, here's another opportunity.   Come for one or both days.  18 or over please.

Wednesday, March 16th & 30th
8:30am - 3:00pm ish
Second Harvest Food Bank, Volunteer Room
750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose (near the Curtner Avenue exit off 87)
transportation and lunch is provided.

Regular VH/SHFB team will still be harvesting on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month.

Please RSVP so we know how many lunches to provide.  Volunteers will be asked to register as a SHFB volunteer as well.

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.

 

MASTER GARDENER SPRING GARDEN MARKET - Saturday, April 2nd

Starting up your vegetable garden for the spring?  Want to try your hand at growing your own heirloom tomatoes?  The UCCE Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County are having their annual Spring Garden Market featuring heirloom tomato and pepper seedlings.  There will also be a number of gardening vendors at the event including Village Harvest.  We'll have our preserves for sale as well as dried fruit and candies from Andy's Orchard.  It's a celebration of locally grown fruit! 

Saturday, April 2nd
8:00am - 2:00pm
Emma Prusch Park, 647 S. King Road, San Jose. 
Off 680/280 at King Rd or 101 at Story Rd East.

If you're planning on coming, please let us know.  We need help especially from someone with a truck/large vehicle to help setup and setdown.

 

ALMOST EDEN GARDEN

Like vegetables as well as fruit? The Almost Eden Garden Project is an organic garden that grows food for homeless and low income families - they give all of their produce to local organizations that serve those in need.  They are actively seeking volunteers to help with the garden, as the spring/summer season is the busiest!

The garden is located at 701 East Meadow Drive in Palo Alto - right behind the Palo Alto Baptist Church on the corner of Middlefield and East Meadow.  Volunteers are at the garden 3 days a week and on Saturday mornings. No gardening experience is needed, and volunteers work at their own pace.  Please call Pamela at 650-504-1811 or email almosteden@chesavage.com or visit our website for more information at www.almosteden.org.

 

VILLAGE HARVEST TO DATE:        25,059 lbs!

This is the highest we've ever been for this time of the year all due to all of your help.  We're already had 5 events break the 2000 lb mark and 3 others come really close.  What are we harvesting?  Oranges, Lemons, Grapefruit, Tangerines, Tangelos, Limes,....   Citrus!

 

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.
  • Menlo Park team goes out as convenient for their schedules.  Contact joni@villageharvest.org to join in.
Date / Day Time Event Meeting Place Notes
March 13, Sunday 8:30 am - 12:30 pm Harvesting for the Hungry w/YAD Meet 8:30 am, Mt. View CSA

 

 3rd year in a row and often a record breaking event!
March 16, Wednesday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Community Fruit Harvesting, Willow Glen, Citrus. Meet 8:30 am, SHFB Volunteer Room.  You must RSVP for this event and be registered as a SHFB volunteer
March 18, Friday 11:30 am - 2:30 pm Preserving from the Garden Interest Group:  Preserving equipment and jars   contact joni@villageharvest.org to join in on this event
March 19, Saturday 10:00 am - 12:30 pm Fruit Trees for the Hungry Meet 9:30 am, Mt. View CSA We are partnering with Fruition and Mt. View CSA to provide fruit trees to help families become more self-sufficient. (tentative - may become a harvesting event -- stay tuned)
March 22, Tuesday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Community Fruit Harvesting, Willow Glen/Cambrian, Citrus Meet 8:30 am, SHFB Volunteer Room.  You must RSVP for this event and be registered as a SHFB volunteer
March 27, Sunday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Community Fruit Harvesting, Mountain View & Sunnyvale. Meet 9:00 am, Mt. View CSA Contact karen@villageharvest.org if you'd like to join in.
March 30, Wednesday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Community Fruit Harvesting, Willow Glen, Citrus. Meet 8:30 am, SHFB Volunteer Room.  You must RSVP for this event and be registered as a SHFB volunteer
April 2, Saturday 8:00 am - 2:00 pm Master Gardener Spring Garden Market

The place for heirloom tomatoes and peppers

 Emma Prusch Park, 647 S. King Road, San Jose. 

Off 680/280 at King Rd or 101 at Story Rd East.

 Volunteers need to help sell Village Harvest preserves and dried fruit from Andy's Orchard.  Please contact joni@villageharvest.org.
April 10, Sunday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Community Fruit Harvesting, Mountain View. Meet 9:00 am, Mt. View CSA Contact karen@villageharvest.org if you'd like to join in.
April 10, Sunday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Everyday Hero's Past and Present History Park at Kelley Park, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose Village Harvest will be joining other organizations through out the bay area who are making a difference in our community every day.  Bring your families along!
April 12, Tuesday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Community Fruit Harvesting, Willow Glen, Citrus. Meet 8:30 am, SHFB Volunteer Room.  You must RSVP for this event and be registered as a SHFB volunteer
April 24, Sunday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Community Fruit Harvesting, Mountain View. Meet 9:00 am, Mt. View CSA Contact karen@villageharvest.org if you'd like to join in.
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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