Not Far From the Tree - Making a Difference in Food Security

Doug Bryce

I am a member of the Ontario Humanist Society’s (“OHS”) Food Security Taskforce. In that capacity I was approached by fellow OHS member, Rachel Warren, at this year’s Annual Conference.

Rachel told me about an organization she was familiar with in Toronto called Not Far From The Tree (“NFFTT” – www.notfarfromthetree.org ).  She thought it was a concept that would transfer well to other urban centers in the Province and suggested that the Food Security Taskforce might want to take a closer look. We have had the opportunity to do that and wish to share what we have learned with the greater OHS membership. NFFTT is a project on the MakeWay Charitable Society platform (“MakeWay” – www.makeway.org).  

MakeWay is a Canadian Registered Charity that has established a shared platform for innovative social change projects across the country.  MakeWay provides NFFTT with operational support, governance, and charitable expertise, and has full fiduciary responsibility for that organization.

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. This simple act brings Torontonians together, empowering communities to reduce food waste, increases access to fresh fruit, and to helping us live more sustainably in the city.

The fruit we pick supports community agencies such as shelters, food banks, community fridges, housing programs, and meal programs. The groups support folks who are low income, seniors, youth, families, Indigenous peoples, racialized, 2SLGTBQIA+, fleeing domestic violence, experiencing housing instability, and/or newcomers to Canada: in essence, anyone who experiences food insecurity.