Just over a year ago, I heard about a group in downtown Toronto called Not Far From the Tree. Its mission sounded interesting, but I didn’t quite get it until I rolled up my sleeves and got more involved.
I was told that they match up volunteers with private homeowners who want help picking the fruit from the trees and vines growing on their property. The fruit that is picked is split into three portions: for the homeowner, the volunteers, and a local foodbank.
Having lived in the city on and off for 15 years, I could not figure out where we were going to find fruit to pick. This is a city with lots of concrete, groomed lawns and not a whole lot of extra space. The only growing food I could think of was the one massive mulberry tree on my four lane street or there was my friend’s Italian mother who grows tomatoes. Needless to say, I was blown away by the bounty found in my own neighbourhood.
Sections of the city were orchards in a past life, the remnants of which you can find to this day, and when certain cultural groups moved into homes decades ago they planted their own fruit trees. These trees and vines are often hiding in the backyards of homes; it is as if there is a whole different city tucked away in the back. We have so many fruit trees that the organization has estimated 1.5 millions pounds of fruit grows in the city of Toronto each year, much of which goes unpicked and spoils. In the summer of 2010 with relatively few resources, the young organization picked 20,000 pounds of fruit and now has an army of volunteers over 900 people strong.
The experience of finding hidden gems scattered throughout my city opened my eyes to some of the tastiest, freshest local food that I never thought possible. I spend a lot of time thinking about how far our food travels, how much energy we use and how I can reduce my carbon footprint. Until I met this group I really only thought of urban farming in the abstract or in terms of building futuristic skyscrapers full of hydroponics. Now I look at every lawn, every street divider and every park and wonder why aren’t we using these spaces to plant more fruit trees. I had to see actual fruit bearing trees in my urban core neighbourhood covered in sweet cherries and juicy pears, but now I get it. There is no reason why we need to feel separated from nature downtown or why all of our food has to be trucked in.
Not Far From the Tree brings neighbours together, assists those less fortunate and connects people to food and nature in a whole new way without leaving the city. While this program transforms people’s private yards into public space for only a few short hours at a time, it leaves a lasting impact and adds an entirely new dimension to our city.
Jordy Gold is the OpenCity Projects Editor and is a sustainability consultant. He has worked and studied in Geneva, Lund, Chiang Mai and Phuket. Jordy learned from the Swedes how to cycle in all conditions and can be seen on his bike 365 days a year throughout the core of Toronto. Jordy is also a Steering Committee Member at Not Far From the Tree. Follow Jordy on Twitter: @JordyGold
photos by Not Far From the Tree
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It’s often the most counter-intuitive projects that make the most sense. Eating fruit from trees was something we did in my youth, usually after drinking much late into the night. Nevertheless, one can only imagine how many fruits and nuts are to be easily found in Toronto. There are even interesting things to do with weeds. For example, dandelion leafs make a delicious quiche (replacing spinach) and dandelion flowers make excellent tea when dried (similar to chamomile flavors). Counter-intuitive yes. But again, often end up making a lot of sense.
Absolutely. However, this particular project is only counter intuitive until you hear some of the basic facts and then you see how logical it is.
Hi Jordy, what a beautifully written article! (and thumbs up from a fellow year-round cyclist). I’m one of the NFFTT volunteers – picking fruit is usually a highlight of my summer. I was intrigued that you’d worked and studied, among other places, in Chiang Mai and Phuket, because I’m planning a return to Thailand in 2012, where I’ve also worked and studied. My dream is to shift gears completely: my background is in French translation (I also speak Thai), but I’d like to work with environmental/social NGOs in Thailand. I’m seeing mostly technical / scientific or administrative positions, so I’m not sure where I’d be needed. Any advice??
Out in Mississauga there is an organization called amississauga Fruit Tree that is using the exact same model for accessing Neighbourhood fruit. Carlton Allen is the founder and executive director. They have also started workin with residents In Malton to grow gardens in people’s backyards and splitting the harvest.
Chezlie, thanks for letting everyone know. I had no idea that there was a similar group set up in Mississauga. That is fantastic.
Do you have any idea how long they have been around for, how big they are or how much fruit they have picked each summer?
I actually think NFFTT developed out of MFT. MFT started in 2008 or 09.
In 2010 they harvested about 4000 lbs of fruit, but that’s pretty decent since they really only expanded outside of Malton this summer (Malton is to Mississauga, what Weston was to York – population of 36,000 and no part of Malton is more than 8 minutes away from any other part), and they have a smaller pool of volunteers..
BTW tell Wendy I said whatup!
sorry forgot this – http://www.mississaugafruittree.org/
Chezlie, that looks like another great program. I just put asked Not Far From the Tree on their Facebook fanpage if they based their program on Mississauga Fruit Tree. http://www.facebook.com/NFFTT
And I will pass your regards on to Wendy.
Chezlie, I am not sure if you checked that Facebook thread I posted, but Not Far From the Tree responded and said that:
“We helped that group (Mississauga Fruit Tree) get started. In fact, it was founded by one of our former staff!”
The good ideas are spreading.
Hi Jordy,
Thanks so much for a lovely article. I moved to the Annex this year and my landlords have a beautiful mulberry tree right outside their house. It sheds so much fruit in the summer that they actually got tired of it and wanted to cut it down (thank goodness the government doesn’t allow it). I was shocked when I heard their idea. I had no clue about NFFTT; I think I’m going to volunteer for them next year. I hate to see food go to waste. Thanks again for this information.
Hi Annie,
Glad you liked the article and that your landlord wasn’t able to cut down the tree. Now you can help them capture all of that fruit and avoid the mess of all the fruit spoiling.
You can go here to volunteer:
http://www.notfarfromthetree.org/register-your-tree/volunteer