Volunteer Newsletter, May 20, 2005

 

HARVESTING FOR THE HUNGRY - CUPERTINO:  Sunday, May 22nd

An Orchard in Cupertino?  Yes!  Probably one of the last if not the last remaining orchards in Cupertino and certainly the last citrus orchard in Silicon Valley. 

We'll be harvesting the orange orchard at the historic Stocklmeir property and donating the fruit to Cupertino Community Services, Mt. View Community Services Agency and Second Harvest Food Bank.  Come on out, help harvest oranges and get in touch with our valley history.

Sunday, May 22nd
9:00am - 12:30pm
Stocklmeir Orange Orchard
22120 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino
1/2 way between Foothill Expressway and Hwy 85 near the Blue Pheasant restaurant and Blackberry Farm golf course.  Look for a narrow driveway immediately next to the bridge going over Stevens Creek & the Village Harvest sign.

Special Helpers needed:
8-9am:  2-3 people to help set up before the other volunteers arrive
Photographer:  with 2-3 MB digital camera

This property has been in the news lately as its future is being planned by the City of Cupertino for various uses.  Here's a recent article in the Cupertino Courier:  The Stocklmeir property—a living museum of the Valley of Heart's Delight.

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.

 

ANNOUNCING!  (888) FRUIT-411

Village Harvest has a new toll free number -- (888) FRUIT-411.  (888.378.4841)

This is the new number to call for homeowners with trees and for new volunteers.  When telling your friends and neighbors about Village Harvest, this is the new easy to remember number to have them call.  Also, since we're now operating in four local toll areas, this avoids a toll call for many of the homeowners who call us.

When folks call, there will be multiple options to choose from and if they are a new homeowner calling, they will be prompted through a series of questions to answer.  This will help those that return phone calls to ensure that they have all the needed information to better serve those who are making their fruit available for the hungry. 

For now, we are retaining 650.740.7725 for Village Harvest business, partners and event use.

 

VILLAGE HARVEST IN THE NEWS:

Thank you to Metro Silicon Valley who has been generous in sharing the good news about Village Harvest.  We've gotten great response from their articles including enough interest from the article on Food Security to pilot distributing vegetable seedlings this year versus waiting until next year.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE, Metro, March 23rd

STILL HUNGRY:  A new community-based movement called 'community food security' is revolutionizing the way this country tackles its growing hunger problem. But is Silicon Valley getting left behind?, Metro, April 20th

Another quick mention in the SF Chronicle on a totally different topic:

THE CHILL FACTOR:  The guide to what freezes, what doesn't and why, SF Chronicle, May 18th

 

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
May 20, Friday 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Preserving from the Garden Interest Group - Preserving Flowers and Scents Contact joni@villageharvest.org to join in. Varietal Rose Jelly & more!
May 22, Sunday 9:00 am - 12:30 pm Harvesting for the Hungry, Cupertino Meet 9:00 am, Stocklmeir Orchard, 22120 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino. Contact joni@villageharvest.org if you'd like to join in.
May 24, 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
June 4, Saturday 9:00 am - 12:30 pm Harvesting for the Hungry, San Jose - Cherries w/ AACO. TBA Sorry, adults only at this event.
June 12, Sunday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Community Fruit Harvesting, Palo Alto/Menlo Park, Last of the citrus for a while. Meet 9:00 am, Mt. View CSA Contact karen@villageharvest.org if you'd like to join in.
June 14, 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
June 26, Sunday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Community Fruit Harvesting, Cupertino, Santa Rosa Plums Meet 9:00 am, Mt. View CSA Contact karen@villageharvest.org if you'd like to join in.
June 28, Tuesday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Community Fruit Harvesting, Willow Glen, Santa Rosa Plums. Meet 8:30 am, SHFB Volunteer Room.  You must RSVP for this event and be registered as a SHFB volunteer
July  2, Saturday 8:30 am - 12:30 pm Harvesting for the Hungry, Los Altos Hills, Apricots w/ Tzu Chi Foundation. TBA Contact joni@villageharvest.org if you'd like to join in
July 9, Saturday 8:30 am -12:30 pm Harvesting for the Hungry, Palo Alto w/ Valley of Heart's Delight Meet 8:30 am, 222 High St., Palo Alto Contact joni@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.

OTHER ORGANIZATION EVENTS:

  • The following are events by other organizations that may be of interest to Village Harvest volunteers.
Date / Day Time Event Meeting Place Notes
June 18, Saturday 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Andy's Orchard Cherry Tasting 1615 Half Road, Morgan Hill $10 admission for tasting, tour and orchard walk
June 18, Saturday 8:30 am - 12:30 pm & 12:00 -  4:00 pm Organic Garden Tour - Valley of Heart's Delight Heritage Center at the Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 Remington Drive, Sunnyvale. See website for more information:
http://www.globalcommunity.org/tour

 

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

 

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