Saving Food Together

Hidden Harvest relies on trained volunteer Neighbourhood Leaders to organize harvest events for registered trees and invite Volunteer Harvesters out to each event to help pick & share the bounty.

COVID-19: Events are operating according to guidelines set out by Ottawa Public Health. Specific measures (if any) will be communicated prior to each harvest.
Neighbourhood Leader

Hidden Harvest relies on a team of volunteer Neighbourhood Leaders to organize harvest events. Neighbourhood Leaders receive training and access to equipment from Hidden Harvest and then collaborate with residents who have registered their fruit trees to select a harvest time.   

The Neighbourhood Leader sends out the invitation to the harvest to the general volunteer list for that ward and is the contact point for the event. During the day of the harvest, they arrive first and organize the harvest volunteers and then work with them to pick, sort and donate the fruit. At an average harvest (without COVID-19 restrictions) a Neighbourhood Leader would be meeting with 4-6 volunteer harvesters under a tree and spending one to two hours harvesting, sorting, weighing and sharing the produce. 

Finally, after the harvest event is completed, the Neighbourhood Leader coordinates delivery of the donation portion to a nearby food agency location, and reports on how the event went.  Overall, organizing and delivering a harvest event takes approximately 4 hours. 

Not ready to be a Neighbourhood Leader? Join us as a Harvest Volunteer.

How to become a Neighbourhood Leader

Step 1

Complete the online Volunteer Harvester form.

Step 2

Complete the online training (parts 1 and 2) or attend an in-person training session (if available).
A lead volunteer conducts training at least 3 times a year to train new Neighbourhood Leaders

Step 3

Attend 1-2 harvest events led by an experienced Neighbourhood Leader

Step 4

Lead 1-2 harvest events as a Neighbourhood Leader in Training, supported by an experienced Neighbourhood Leader

Step 5

Lead your final “Graduation Harvest” entirely on your own, witnessed by a current Neighbourhood Leader

Step 6

Get picking! Receive access to tree information and needed equipment and get out there

Perks of being a Neighbourhood Leader

Arrange harvest events at a time that is convenient for you

Access to Leader-exclusive learning events such as backyard orchard tours

Connect with the Hidden Harvest team, and get to know some awesome people

Feel good about making a difference in your community

Learn more about the trees and fruit growing in Ottawa

More questions? Head over to our FAQ or Contact Us