Volunteer Newsletter, April 16, 2009

Village Harvest has harvested a record 46,488 lbs of fruit through April 15, and has now harvested 714,000 lbs of fresh fruit since our beginnings in 2001.  This is 1.9 Million servings for low income families, seniors, and others who need extra food.

Village Harvest is one of the oldest and largest backyard (or urban) fruit harvesting organizations in the country. If you haven't picked this year, join us soon!  The weather is beautiful, and Citrus is waiting for you :-)

• Morgan Hill, organized by long time volunteer Elaine Hayes
• San Ramon (Pleasanton area), led by Judy Bracken and Shawna Kelly, has been doing neighborhood harvests for several months and passing fruit along to a local senior center.
• A new group in Davis, organized by Joe Schwartz and others, is being formed and eager to get started.

Also in the "new and growing" category, over the past 2 months we've learned of or started helping the following new Southern California organizations.  Some were inspired by the national press on Village Harvest last year - check them out!  All three are doing terrific work.

SoCal Harvest, in Orange County/Long Beach
Inland Empire Urban Fruit Harvesting, in the Riverside area
Food Forward, in Los Angeles

Village Harvest receives inquiries from people all over the country interested in starting a harvesting program, and we'll be adding more material to the web site to help others learn from our experience. We now keep a list of harvesting organizations to help out-of-area visitors locate something in their community, and this directory is being linked to by national media.  If you learn of a like-minded group that's not listed, please email info to Craig for possible inclusion (craig @ villageharvest.org).

Are you interested in arranging an event for your group, company, or neighborhood?  If you expect to have a group of 12 or more volunteers, we may be able to organize a harvesting or other event tailored to your location, availability, and needs.  It can simplify our efforts, and is a great way for your group to have fun and make an immediate difference in the community.  Contact Harvest Coordinator Heather Dooley (heather @ villageaharvest.org).

General Instructions for harvesting volunteers:

• Dress in layers for a cool morning, warming during the day, and cooling in the evening with sun protection, and insect repellant in mind.
• Wear comfortable, covered shoes.
• Please carpool as parking is limited at all locations.  Please let us know if you have a truck or SUV to help carry fruit.
• Children, high school age and over are welcome but please see our Volunteer FAQ's for more information.