Got too much fruit? We want to help.
If you are unable to harvest your fruit yourself, for whatever reason, here are some options to consider:
- Post your fruit on Fruit Connect. Our system lets you post your fruit to a list of interested fruit pickers. You tell them about your fruit and all the logistics about when and where. Fruit pickers see postings and choose which fruit they’re interested in picking. Pickers and owners arrange a convenient harvest time. At the agreed upon time, pickers pick the fruit and share it three ways between the fruit owner (if they’d like), pickers and a community group. There is a $10.75 annual fee for pickers and owners for this service.
- Host a family fruit picking party. Turn the chore of fruit picking into an annual fun, family event. In return for picking all of your fruit, serve light refreshments, order in some pizza or turn it into a potluck. If there’s too much fruit for your family, donate extras to a local charity that accepts fruit. Check out where to DONATE FRUIT right here.
- Ask you friends and neighbours for help with harvesting fruit. And, while they’re picking for themselves, ask them to pick an extra bag for the neighbour down the street who isn’t as mobile but would appreciate some fresh fruit. It’s a great way to build positive relationships with people on your block.
- Hire a neighbourhood teenager to harvest your fruit for you. If you don’t know who to call, ask your community centre for a list of neighbourhood babysitters or dog walkers. These keen, young individuals might consider adding fruit picking to their repertoire of services offered.
- Ask your local garden club, church or community centre to post a notice asking for people to pick your fruit in return for a share of the bounty.
- Put a classified ad in your community paper or online at places like Kijiji Winnipeg. Offer free fruit in return for fruit picking. There are a lot of people who welcome the opportunity to get some fruit.
- Ask some of the vendors at a local Farmers’ Market if they would be interested in picking your fruit. For a list of Farmers’ Markets in Manitoba visit the Farmers’ Markets Association of Manitoba.
- Ask a local community group to pick your fruit in return for a share of the harvest. For example the Boys and Girls Club.
Do you have more ideas? Please, let us know, we want to give people as many options as possible to harvest, share and enjoy local fruit.
Thanks!