A BUMPER crop from the backyard tree need never go to waste again thanks to a new project being trialled in Maribyrnong.
Foodbank Victoria is launching an ‘Urban Street Harvest’ pilot to share excess fruit and vegetables from residential gardens with those in need.
The volunteer-based program will map residential fruit and vegetable production and provide a chance for extra fruit and vegetables to be passed on to local food relief agencies.
Co-ordinator Katrina O’Brien says the idea sprang from an initiative in the Albury-Wodonga area.
“That has been running successfully for a couple of years,” she says.
With the help of the Maribyrnong Council community grants program, Foodbank Victoria will now test the Street Harvest model in an urban setting for the first time.
“This will be a pilot project in Maribyrnong. We’re thinking the main donations will be from fruit trees.”
The pilot is aimed at rescuing excess produce from residential homes in the Maribyrnong area and redistributing it to Maribyrnong food relief agencies, cutting down on the amount of fruit and vegetables wasted from residential gardens.
Ms O’Brien says Foodbank Victoria has worked closely with relief agencies in the west, the project being a way to ensure more people meet their nutritional needs.
Volunteers are available to help harvest your garden during the three-week harvest period from November 27 to December 17.
Anyone collecting produce outside these dates can drop extra produce at Foodbank Victoria’s Yarraville Warehouse at 4/2 Somerville Road, Yarraville, from 7am-4pm weekdays.
If you have excess fruit or vegetables to share with the community, register as a donor at foodbankvictoria.org.au
Potential volunteers can email katrinao@foodbankvictoria.org.au or phone 93628300.
