Big thanks to those who took the time to complete the end of season survey – more than 160 people shared their thoughts! This valuable feedback received was reviewed by Advisory Committee members, and shared with all Neighbourhood Leaders and Neighbourhood Leaders in Training. An overview of what we heard can be found here in our End of Season Report – key takeaways include:
- This work is highly valued by volunteers, tree owners, and more broadly in the community. Lots of warm fuzzy stories.
- Volunteers, Tree Owners, and Leaders consistently believe that the top priority for the future should be finding and training more Leaders, and hosting more events.
- Volunteers would appreciate more harvest events outside of business hours, and receiving harvest event invitations more in advance as many indicated it was a barrier to their involvement.
- Leaders have several ideas to improve equipment, and we’ll need more equipment soon as we’re currently at capacity.
- Some Leaders may benefit from reviewing training materials, available online, to ensure quality and consistency between events.
- New registrations for trees as well as volunteers (see graph below) stayed strong this year, and we had a record number of food donation locations involved – all good reminders that this work is still very much in demand!
A New Milestone – More than 100,000 Pounds Rescued
In case you missed it, we also reached a new milestone – more than 100,000 pounds have been rescued since we began this work together 11 years ago! See graph below for an overview year-by-year. We also were awarded 2 new fruit juicing presses from the City’s Community Environmental Projects Grant Program, which we’ll put to good use next season in collaboration with Just Food.
Warm Stories of the Season
I went through the hardest time of [my] life being completely isolated during Covid-19, moving to Ottawa in 2022 and [needing] so much to connect with people while doing meaningful work. To say it in my first language, ces activités m’ont aidé à me sentir à nouveau comme un être humain qui avait une certaine valeur et à réapprendre à connecter avec des êtres humains sans avoir à partager mon histoire, ce qui est précieux parce que cela m’aide à vivre des moments positifs de connexion humaine et à ne pas me sentir comme un être complètement brisé par la solitude.
– 2023 Volunteer
I introduced hidden harvest to a Ukrainian newcomer who fled the war. She profoundly enjoyed it!
– 2023 Volunteer
The team that came was punctual and efficient. They were extremely courteous and grateful for the fruit. I was similarly grateful to have them picking it and that it went to a good cause!
– 2023 Tree Owner
Added additional nutritional snack options for our service users, the fresh fruit was a great hit!
– 2023 Food Agency
Everyone is just lovely! Thanks to all who made this season a blast!
– 2023 Neighbourhood Leader