Volunteer Positions

Cultivate community – Grow fruit tree knowledge – Harvest fresh fruit

Needed: Fruit Pick Leaders
Project: Not Far From The Tree
Location: Toronto, Ontario

ABOUT NOT FAR FROM THE TREE

Not Far From The Tree is Toronto’s fruit tree gleaning program, founded in 2008. We pick fruit in people’s yards – what we call Toronto’s Urban Orchard – and share the bounty with organizations that feed fellow Torontonians! When a tree owner can’t keep up with their harvest, we mobilize a volunteer team to pick the fruit, and then split it: 1⁄3 to the tree registrant, 1⁄3 split amongst the volunteers, and 1⁄3 donated to one of our community agency partners. Detailed information about our work can be found on our website, notfarfromthetree.org.

A Pick Leader is responsible for scheduling, planning, and facilitating urban fruit picks in Toronto backyards between June and October, bringing necessary picking equipment and delivering fruit to community agencies after the pick.

VOLUNTEER PICK LEADER – KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leading a minimum of 3 fruit picks in the season (1 fruit pick can take between 3-5 hours total, including planning, scouting, and delivery)
• Honouring the dignity and confidentiality of all Program participants
• Claiming Pick Requests from Tree Registrants through the Portal
• Helping to determine when Pick Request trees are ready to harvest and scheduling the Pick

• Contributing to a healthy and sustainable Urban Orchard by regularly reviewing resources on Fruit Tree Pests and Disease, identifying signs of tree health, and communicating NFFTT policy around Pest and Disease to Tree Registrants (as needed)
• Transporting fruit-picking equipment to and from the picking site, ensuring equipment is clean and sanitized for the next pick
• Sorting, weighing, and dividing fruit amongst Pickers, Tree Registrants, and Community Agencies at the end of each pick
• Donating fruit to Community Agencies following picks, ensuring dignity and respect for their programming through fruit sorting and clear communication around delivery
• Completing a ‘Post Pick Report’ as soon as possible after each pick, taking care to include as much information as possible

HELPFUL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Experience facilitating small groups of adults
• Interest in or experience with fruit trees, urban agriculture and/or community food security
• Physical ability to lift and transport up to 150lbs of fruit, along with picking equipment
• Access to a vehicle (our cargo bikes unfortunately remain out of commission for the upcoming season)

WHAT PICK LEADERS CAN EXPECT FROM NFFTT

• Training and supervision from NFFTT Staff and Seasoned Pick Leaders, including at least 1 Shadow Pick and 1 Graduation Pick before leading Picks solo
• Expanded Pick Leader access to the Portal, used to coordinate fruit picks
• Flexibility to choose the date and time for fruit picks that works best with your schedule, and to choose the equipment set and community agency

• Regularly updated and clear Pick Leader resources, including a Handbook and educational references on fruit and tree health
• Consistent communication from NFFTT staff throughout the season (including a biweekly Pick Leader newsletter and one on one check ins)
• Coverage by liability insurance from MakeWay on activities as covered by the signed Pick Leader Agreement
• *NEW* One private fruit pick per season for Pick Leader’s own family and friends

PICK LEADER TRAINING

• New and Returning: 3 pre-season 2-hour long Training sessions

• New Pick Leaders: attend 1-2 Picks to ‘shadow’ as a Pick Leader in Training
• New Pick Leaders: lead 1 Graduation Pick before leading Picks solo

If you have questions that weren’t answered above, need assistance with the application process, or want to know more, please get in touch at picks@notfarfromthetree.org .

Ready to apply?

Head to forms.gle/xMvM2YTq3VCU1HUW9

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Applications for the 2025 season close May 6, 2025.