Our Purpose
There is a lot of local food going to waste that could be put to good use. There are more than 17,000 fruit and nut trees on city property alone, and we currently have more than 600 trees registered for harvesting on private property. According to Ottawa Public Health, it is estimated 1 in 7 of Ottawa households are food insecure, with 1 in 10 experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity (Ottawa Public Health, 2020). Harvesting what grows around us can make a big difference for those who do not have access to nutritious food options.
What We Do
We support volunteer Neighbourhood Leaders to organize the harvest of fruits and nuts that would otherwise go to waste on public and private property. Tree owners can register their trees for harvesting, and volunteers can register to join harvest events, through our website. We provide the opportunity for people to access the edible fruit and nut trees that surround them.
In 2024, Hidden Harvest became a program of EnviroCentre. This provides additional administrative support, insurance coverage, volunteer training, and more. Hidden Harvest also has an Advisory Committee. This group of committed volunteers provides input and advice to the EnviroCentre team. By picking and sharing local fruit, our volunteers are increasing their food sovereignty and that of the local population, preventing food waste and the associated GHG emissions, and helping to make Ottawa a more food-tree friendly city.
Once the fruit or nuts are gathered, the food is divided into four ways:
Donated to the nearest food agency
Shared amongst the volunteer harvesters
Shared with the treeowner if they would like a portion
Shared with Hidden Harvest Ottawa to provide to local processors and restaurants with whom we have an agreement
What is Gleaning
Gleaning is the process of collecting food that would otherwise go to waste. Gleaned food may come from farms, gardens, farmers markets, grocery stores or restaurants. Some gleaning groups search for food from farms or grocery stores, however, Hidden Harvest currently gleans the edible fruit trees, nut trees, and vines around the City of Ottawa – all harvests that have a barrier to pickings, such as requiring equipment, or knowledge as to how to pick it safely.
The practice of gleaning simultaneously improves food security and reduces food waste. As Ottawa grows many fruits and nuts that are edible, healthy, and delicious, we believe that embracing the fruitful trees in Ottawa is an important part of taking good care of our city. If you would like to learn more about gleaning and the different organizations that are located within Canada, check out this list of Canadian Fruit Tree Harvesting Organizations!
List of Canadian Fruit Tree Harvesting Organizations
BRITISH COLUMBIA
- Fraser Valley Gleaners – Abbotsford
- Lifecycles Fruit Tree Project – Victoria
- North Shore Fruit Tree Project – Vancouver
- Okanagan Fruit Tree Project – Kelowna
- Vancouver Fruit Tree Project
ONTARIO
- Hidden Harvest Ottawa
- Not Far From The Tree – Toronto
QUEBEC, EAST COAST
- Les Fruits Défendus – Montreal, QC
- Les Fruits Partagés – Rimouski, QC
- FOUND Forgotten Food – Halifax, NS