Dear Community,
For the last two years, we’ve been actively seeking a more sustainable way to carry out the administration of Hidden Harvest Ottawa. There is so much more we could do together – there are more trees to be picked, more volunteers keen to contribute, and more need for fruit in our community – but to reach higher fruit on the tree, we need to take care of our roots. After consulting with our stakeholders (volunteers, tree owners, and food agencies), as well as with gleaning groups across the country, local initiatives and experts, we’ve finally found our next step:
We are berry happy to announce that next year Hidden Harvest will become a program of EnviroCentre!
Hidden Harvest will soon have the behind-the-scenes support of an experienced team, dedicated to building a sustainable, resilient Ottawa. We can’t wait to climb to new heights with EnviroCentre spotting us!
Meet EnviroCentre
EnviroCentre has been a force in Ottawa for over two decades. Widely recognized for collaborating with residents to improve the sustainability of their lifestyle, homes and properties, their team administers over 15 programs citywide. From planting Tiny Forests to promoting active transportation, EnviroCentre is at the forefront of providing a diverse range of environmental initiatives. This exciting partnership will continue to advance environmental sustainability through our shared dedication to reducing food waste, promoting community well-being, and fostering a greener Ottawa.
Curious to learn more about EnviroCentre? Check out their Facebook, Instagram, or subscribe to their newsletter Green Beat for expert insights on local sustainability news and initiatives. 🌿💚
How will this impact Hidden Harvest volunteers, tree owners and supporters?
In a nutshell, not much will change about our harvest events! The harvest experience will be the same for volunteers and tree owners: Neighbourhood Leaders will continue to organize events, picking and sharing fruit across the city. While small changes may be made to volunteer training or the logistics of events, these will be minor.
The Hidden Harvest Advisory Committee (the volunteer group that has led Hidden Harvest for over a decade) will remain in place to ensure continuity, with the addition of an EnviroCentre representative. The Advisory Committee is particularly excited to be supported by EnviroCentre to work on longer-term funding solutions, and to provide expertise in key areas like communications.
Finally, we are currently pausing the receipt of donations during this transition time. Rest assured, all of the donations received by Hidden Harvest to date will continue to be allocated to Hidden Harvest activities exclusively.
By operating as an integrated program of a thriving community organization, Hidden Harvest will now have essential administrative stability and expertise – to help ensure that our awesome volunteers can focus on picking fruit. We can’t think of anything more a-peeling!
Pick, share, and take good care!