Volunteer Newsletter, June 23, 2005

HARVESTING FOR THE HUNGRY - APRICOTS:

Apricots in June?  YES!!!!  They are coming in very early and very fast.  We need your help to harvest all the apricot orchards that have been made available to the hungry in record time.  And, of course help share in the harvest!

Sunday, June 26th
9:00am - 12:30pm
Downtown San Jose

Monday, June 27th
4:30pm - 8:00pm  (special summer solstice evening harvest, come as soon as you can after work)
Los Altos Hills Apricot Orchard

Tuesday, June 28th
9:30am - 2:00pm  (or meet at 8:30am at SHFB to carpool)
Los Altos Hills Apricot & Cherry Plum Orchard
Lunch provided

When you RSVP we'll send you a map and further instructions to the various orchards.  Carpool if you can as parking is limited at all locations.  Children 10 and over are welcome with no more than two children to one adult supervisor.  RSVP to susan@villageharvest.org or 888-FRUIT-411 (888-378-4841).

There is still one more large apricot orchard out there that's will be left to be harvested, if the apricots hang on that long, we will still have an event on Saturday, July 2nd -- stay tuned.

Instructions for harvesting volunteers:

• Dress in layers with long sleeves, long pants and comfortable covered shoes.  Long sleeves are to protect your arms from branches.  Long pants to protect your legs from prickly weeds. 
• Come prepared for sun and consider insect repellant.
• Bring a flat box to share in the apricot harvest.  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.

 

JAMMIN TEAM - Apricots, Cherries & Plums - oh my!

Not only does the fruit need to be harvested in a hurry, we also need to get the fruit made into preserves as well.  There is a tremendous demand for our preserves and we'll be making up preserves for Village Harvest, Andy's Orchard, and the grand opening of Guadalupe Park.  We have the most lucious fruit to be working with: black tartarian cherries, blenheim apricots, and purple wild plums -- yummmm....  Because this is also very last minute, I'm looking for a few more people to come and help on the following days.  No preserving skills necessary, though being handy in the kitchen helps.

Our jams are made in a kitchen in Palo Alto, lunch will be provided (also samples to take home).  When you RSVP to joni@villageharvest.org then I'll send you instructions for where to meet us.

Saturday, June 25th
10:00 am - 3:00pm
Andy's Orchard Black Tartarian Cherry Jam

Monday, June 27th
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Guadalupe & Andy's Orchard Blenheim Apricots (jam and vinegar)

Wednesday, June 29th
10:00 am - until done
Wild Plums & Blenheim Apricot (jam and vinegar)

 

Date / Day	Time	Event	Meeting Place	Notes
June 24, Friday	1:30 pm - 4:00 pm	Plant a Giving Tree (actually vegetable seedlings) - pilot	Meet 1:00 pm, Mt. View CSA to help set up.	Photographer and a few volunteers needed to help distribute seedlings.  This is a pilot project which we're evaluating for the future. Postponed from 6/11 due to family emergency.
June 25, Saturday	10:00 am - 3:00 pm	Jammin' Team - Cherry Jam	Kitchen in Palo Alto	Please RSVP for further information. Contact joni@villageharvest.org to join in.
June 26, Sunday	9:00 am - 12:00 pm	Harvesting for the Hungry - Apricots	Meet 9:00 am, Guadalupe River Park & Gardens, San Jose	Please RSVP for further information. Contact susan@villageharvest.org.
June 27, Monday	10:00 am - 3:00 pm	Jammin' Team - Apricot Jam & Vinegar	Kitchen in Palo Alto	Please RSVP for further information. Contact joni@villageharvest.org to join in.
June 27, Monday	4:30 pm - 7:30 pm	Harvesting for the Hungry - Apricots	Los Altos Hills Apricot Orchard	Please RSVP for location and further info. Contact susan@villageharvest.org
June 28, Tuesday	8:30 am - 3:00 pm	Harvesting for the Hungry - Apricots	Meet 8:30 am, SHFB Volunteer Room or 9:30am at Los Altos Hills apricot orchard	Please RSVP for location and further info. Contact susan@villageharvest.org Lunch provided.
June 29, Wednesday	10:00 am - 3:00 pm	Jammin' Team - Apricot & Wild Plum Jam	Kitchen in Palo Alto	Please RSVP for further information. Contact joni@villageharvest.org to join in.
July  2, Saturday	8:30 am - 12:30 pm	Harvesting for the Hungry, Los Altos Hills, Apricots w/ Tzu Chi Foundation.	Pending upon whether the apricots will still be around at that time.	Contact joni@villageharvest.org to join in
July 12th, 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
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 to join in
July 10, Sunday	9:00 am - 12:00 pm	Community Fruit Harvesting, Los Altos, Late season plums & summer oranges	Meet 9:00 am, Mt. View CSA	Contact karen@villageharvest.org to join in.
July 15, Friday	1:30 pm - 3:00 pm	Preserving from the Garden - Tomatoes	Contact joni@villageharvest.org to join in	Comparing tomato varieties and best methods to preserve each.

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
(888) FRUIT-411
(650) 740-7725