Portland Fruit Tree Project
Our mission is to increase equitable access to healthful food and strengthen communities by empowering neighbors to share in the harvest and care of city-grown produce.
We envision joyful communities that see every fruit tree as an abundant resource which contributes to a just food system and enhances the well-being of people, community networks, habitat, and our changing climate.
D planted her trees at a time when caring for them and harvesting them was simpler, but time catches up with all of us! Today, she loves that as the many trees on her property bear fruit, she can reach out to Portland Fruit Tree Project to harvest the bounty and get it out to others in the community. She also gets to meet new friends and neighbors who are also passionate about fruit and food!
Financials
Programs
Harvests
Our core program, backyard harvesting, works with private properties to harvest fruit that would otherwise go to waste and gets it to communities experiencing food insecurity. In addition to the food impacts, engaging volunteers in this program helps build community connections, decreases lonliness, and educates about growing and utilizing fruit in our neighborhoods!
Community Orchard Care
We support six community orchards that serve communities all over the region. Work includes pruning, pest & disease management, and of course harvesting! These spaces provide food, shade, and community resilience!
Workforce Development
Since 2021 we have worked with the Connecting Canopies Coalition and POIC to support workforce training that includes fruit tree care. Growing diversity in fruit tree care makes urban agriculture more accessible and seeks to ensure equitable access to family wage jobs that are also fulfilling.
Food Preservation
Nearly 50% of some harvests is considered "B" quality, which means it isn't nice enough to share with pantry partners. Prior to 2023 that fruit went to livestock or the compost, but since that time we've started preserving the majority of our "B" fruit. We teach food preservation skills and utilize fruit that is harder to move. To date we've made cider, jellies, jams, fruit leathers, and apple chips, with more to come!
Volunteering + Events
Harvest Volunteering
Join us for 2 hour shifts to harvest and share fruit from all over the region. No skills or tools required!
Community Orchard Care
We host almost monthly volunteer events at several of the orchards! We'd love to see you there! There's also capacity for groups at these events - bring your team!