Toronto has been tirelessly and busy putting up various pop-up clinics with the goal to achieve mass vaccination against COVID-19, and if this goes on, there will be a point in time when the so-called herd immunity will be reached. This will be the time to start to feel like going back to some sort of normality in our daily routine, and the threats of getting infected with COVID-19 will be just a thing of the past. As we ponder these thoughts, we also think of going back to the things that we usually do or maybe think of trying out new hobbies after the pandemic.
One of the things that many people do especially after surviving the winter season is to go outdoors and enjoy the fresh ambiance of spring and summer. People who enjoy nature and the benefits it can bring to one’s health and well-being can probably try new endeavors by joining organizations that help people connect with nature in a more, meaningful way. And so, when the pandemic is over, why not try fruit picking and making a difference to the community at the same time?
An organization called ‘Not Far From The Tree’ provides an opportunity for Torontonians to enjoy nature’s harvest and to get involved in contributing to the community’s local food system. Toronto is home to a massive urban orchard where over 1.5 million pounds of fruit grows right in the city every year. The ‘Not Far From The Tree’ organization connects generous tree owners with excess fruit to volunteers in their community who are willing to pick and share it. This way, no good fruit should fall to waste when so many people can still benefit from it.
Since 2008, the organization has picked and shared over 190,000 pounds of fruit across Toronto. Thanks to the support of over 1,800 tree registrants and 2,200 fruit pickers. A third of this harvest has been shared directly with 35 social service agencies.
Learn more how to get involved by visiting their website at https://notfarfromthetree.org/.
