Ashrafi Ahmed – Not Far From the Tree

May 6, 2019

Ashrafi Ahmed

Food brings people together. Without food, there is no conversation. When you share food, people start to talk.

Further Reading

Communications Assistant – Call for Applications

All Are Welcome Here! Fresh Fruit, Dignity, and Respect with Unity Kitchen

Fall Favourites: Apple Recipes

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Are you aged 16-24 and interested in collaborating

Are you aged 16-24 and interested in collaborating on a climate action project with Not Far From The Tree?

Join us as a Climate Action Catalyst through YCI’s Innovate MY Future program to design and implement a community-based climate action initiative with a team of local youth! You’ll have the chance to build skills, grow your network and make a real impact.

Learn more and apply by October 17- 🔗 in our bio and visit the YCI website!

🍎 Access exclusive resources and gain skills
🍐 Take climate action with like-minded youth to design a community project
🍑 Join @yci_org Climate Action Network of 300+ youth and change- makers
🍒 Jumpstart your career and gain real- world experience

#NFFTT #InnovateMYFuture #CanadaServiceCorps #LeadersToday #ClimateAction #Toronto #GTHA

This past weekend we teamed up with the @ecosource

This past weekend we teamed up with the @ecosourcegreen team to harvest apples from a heritage orchard in Brampton. Round of applause to the amazing youth and families that came out to divert 1,153 lbs of goregous apples to @regenbrampton

While far outside our catchment area we sought this too great of an pportunity to pass up on!

#NFFTT #TorontoFruit #Brampton #FruitPicks #foodwaste #FruitTrees

Help us give it up for our Tree Registrants! 🙌🌳

We'd have no fruit to pick or share if it weren't for their immense generosity. Tree Registrants share 2/3 of their tree's harvest with the community, split between volunteers and a nearby social service partner agency. It speaks volumes that these kind-hearted folks are happy giving more than they get!

Each tree registrant opens up their yard to become a hotbed of community connection, sometimes for multiple picks in one season! Their fruit tree becomes ground zero for grassroots relationship-building and it acts as a natural rallying point for volunteers from far and wide across the city to join forces and harvest fruit from the urban orchard!

Tree registrants are also environmental stewards, doing their part to care for and maintain their fruit trees so we can do the behind-the-scenes work of promoting the health and sustainability of the urban orchard as a whole! We also welcome any opportunity to get more fruit trees planted - whether in backyards, green spaces, or through community orchard projects.

What do our Tree Registrants have to say? 💬
"It’s great to know the apples are going to be used. You always clear and tidy up our garden. And, we get to meet different people every time! We’ve had our tree picked by NFFTT for several years. It’s a nice end-of-summer tradition for our family." - Richard & Deborah

"HUGE thanks to [the team] for picking over 200 lbs of apples from my backyard tree. I'm so thrilled that NFFTT helps make sure all this bountiful fruit in our communities doesn't go to waste!" - Mara J.

"I like how [the program] helps with food security in the city. A lot of people donate non-perishables, but there is a need for fresh fruit as well." - Maya D.

Thank you to our 2021 Tree Registrants! We'll be in touch for next season! 💌

Our fruit picking volunteers make up the largest s

Our fruit picking volunteers make up the largest sub-group within the program. They are the folks on the ground, perched on roofs, and in the trees with their picking poles in hand, harvesting pounds upon pounds of fresh city fruit! 🪜🍎

To each and every volunteer, we are so appreciative of your efforts. Thank you for continuing to join picks, telling your friends and family, and sharing the urban harvest further than we could ever even imagine! 🌟

Our volunteers are able to develop hands-on skills in fruit picking, explore the magic of Toronto's urban orchard, and spark meaningful connections between neighbours and community members. What do NFFTT volunteers have to say about this season? 💬

"I really love living in a big city and I also really love picking fruit and climbing trees, so I get a lot out of this!” - Joanna R.

"[Picking fruit] is a great workout, I don't even need to go to the gym!" - Bernadette M.

"I think a lot about food security and the community access points to fresh foods, so I’m constantly looking for ways to assist that feel really tangible for me." - Kat S.

"I love the whole idea of reclaiming lost fruit, and getting to take some home!" - Sheilah O.

If you were on the fence about volunteering with us, we hope that you will consider joining us on a pick next season! We'd love to have you on our team.

Fruitfully yours,
NFFTT