The labours of The Fruit Tree Project volunteers are helping to overcome a significant barrier to health and well-being among the poor in Richmond … We thank The Fruit Tree volunteers for their hard work to provide the food security that is essential to the health of individuals and community.

— Richmond Food Bank

Our Purposes

• To grow vegetables and to harvest healthy produce to give to charitable food distribution organizations.
• To promote sustainability through workshops on issues related to food rescue, food security, organic practices, farm gardens and youth.
• To link with other similar projects who embrace the spirit of developing food rescue initiatives for the hungry, food preservation and community development through collaborations and the sharing of resources.

When did The Richmond Fruit Tree Project start?

The Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Project (RFTSP) started in 2001 with the help of the Vancouver Fruit Tree Project and the Richmond Community Kitchen organization.

Is the Richmond Fruit Tree Project a Registered Charitable Society?

In 2002 the project became a registered non-profit society with five founding directors. The RFTSP is a network of volunteers, property owners, community supporters and food recipients.

The RFTSP has a registered charitable number with CACR.

We believe this project provides a creative, sustainable solution to surplus produce, while meeting existing social services needs in the community.

— United Way of the Lower Mainland

Awards

• 2001 Volunteer Richmond Nova Star Award for Innovation
• 2002 Scotiabank United Way Lower Mainland Community Spirit Award
• 2008 Volunteer Richmond Star Award for the Greenhouse Social Club

Our Partners and Funders

2010 Funders

Canada Summer Jobs - Service Canada
City of Richmond in-kind
Coast Capital Savings Investment Fund
Gaming Policy and Environment Branch
Global Green
Microsoft Canada
Richmond Sunrise Rotary Club
TELUS
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation

2010 Community Partners and Supporters

City of Richmond Parks Department
Richmond Food Bank
Gilmore United Church
Pathway
Turning Point Society
Richmond Food Security Society
West Coast Seeds
Kwantlen Polytechnical University
Terra Nova School Yard Society