Winter Giving: Spotlight on Zack
Winter Giving: Spotlight on Zack
Every season, hundreds of Torontonians come together to share in the city’s urban abundance. From tree registrants and fruit pickers to the dedicated pick leaders who make each harvest possible.
This winter, as we celebrate another record-breaking harvest, we’re shining a light on the people who bring Not Far From The Tree to life.
Meet Zack!
Zack’s journey with NFFTT began with a handful of saskatoon berries. After buying some at a farmers’ market, he noticed them growing around the city. His curiosity led him online where he discovered NFFTT, and before long, he was joining picks all across Toronto.
He remembers his very first pick as a leader, cherries, and that the group had fun. That same week, he led a saskatoon berry pick at a house he walked past almost every day and delivered the fruit to an agency in his own neighbourhood. That pick was a full-circle moment that stayed with him.
What would you say to someone considering volunteering as a Pick Leader?
Here’s what I do say to pickers: it’s a little extra time and work compared to the fruit picker role. Being a pick leader is about making sure people are able to safely pick fruit instead of picking for yourself. The perk is being able to spend more time on picks and you can plan them based on your availability. Win, win!
How do you think NFFTT impacts the communities you harvest in?
I think it’s a great service for the tree registrants who can’t pick their fruit or use all their full harvest. NFFTT attracts people who enjoy being part of community, food justice and who work together on a shared project, doing as much as they feel comfortable.
The new Portal launched this year. How do you think it’s helping shape NFFTT’s future?
It’s great. It makes the planning and coordinating with tree registrants easier, saving time on logistics, while making it more likely to get fruit at the best time for ripeness.
Further Reading
Winter Giving: Spotlight on Karen