Together, we’ve done a lot together over the years. Our community has picked and shared over 171,000 pounds of fruit from the backyard of Toronto, ⅓ of which has gone directly to 35 social service agency partners.

The impact has also gone far beyond the fruit. Every fruit pick has been a chance for people to connect with each other, the land, local food, and give back to their community. The tree registrants who open their yard and the volunteers who share their time make our city a more vibrant and sustainable place to live.

But at the same time, there is still so much fruit growing in our city that goes unpicked every year. Torontonians outside our operating area also haven’t had a chance to participate in the harvest.

Our ultimate goal is to make it possible for everyone across Toronto to share in the harvest and joy of fruit picking. As we work towards this ambitious vision, we want to do so in a way that is lasting and sustainable

Our ultimate goal is to make it possible for everyone across Toronto to share in the harvest and joy of fruit picking.

This is why in 2019 we are transitioning towards a membership model for fruit pickers and tree registrants. We are asking for support at the following levels of membership to participate in our program:

• Fruit Pickers: $10/year
• Tree Owners: $30/year
• Supreme Gleaners $0/year (*waived if you are a Supreme Gleaner on 3 or more picks)

Contribution through membership will mean more picks, more people fed, and more programming for our partner agencies. It will also help us grow our program in way that is lasting and sustainable.

With this membership model, we also want to give back to you. As a member, you’ll have access to discounts at local businesses thanks to our generous partners at Curbside Cycle, Modo Yoga, Enterprise Carshare, Alévole, the Toronto Tool Library, and more!

You’ll also have early access to NFFTT events and workshops, and access to a new fruit picking portal to more easily request and schedule picks. This new portal has been made possible thanks to generous support from the City of Toronto – Community Projects Grant, City of Toronto – Waste Reduction Community Grant, the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation, LUSH Charity Pot, and the J.P. Bickell Foundation.

Your contribution through membership will be hugely impactful in bringing our programming to more people across the city. It also represents a buy-in to the kind of community we are building together here in Toronto: one that shares, one that is equitable, and one that demonstrates a sustainable urban food model is possible.

Thank you for your continued support as we take this bold step to sustainably grow our program.

Not Far From The Tree is committed to keeping our Picking Program accessible to everyone. We will waive the membership fee for anyone for whom the membership fee will be a barrier to participation. Contact info@notfarfromthetree.org to make this request.