Portland Fruit Tree Project is a grass-roots non-profit organization that provides a community-based solution to a critical and growing need in Portland and beyond: Access to healthy food. By empowering neighbors to share in the harvest and care of urban fruit trees, we are preventing waste, building community knowledge and resources, and creating sustainable, cost-free ways to obtain healthy, locally-grown food. Because money doesn’t grow on trees… but fruit does!

We organize people to gather fruit before it falls, and make it available to those who need it most. We register fruit and nut trees throughout the city, bring people together to harvest and distribute thousands of pounds of fresh fruit each year, and teach tree care and food preservation in hands-on workshops.

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Announcing Portland Fruit Tree Project's expanded Fruit Tree Stewardship Program, and exciting new ways for you to get involved!

In 2010, PFTP’s tree care efforts will be expanded into a year-round Tree Stewardship Program. The goals of this program are to increase the health and abundance of registered fruit trees through volunteer-powered tree care services, and to engage tree owners and interested community members in hands-on opportunities to build skills and knowledge in fruit tree care. To accomplish these goals, we will offer an expanded series of Tree Care Workshops, and an exciting new volunteer program: Tree Care Teams! More details below…

Tree Care Workshops:

In 2010, our expanded Tree Care Workshop Series will include:

• Winter Pruning (January & February)
• Fruit tree selection & planting (March)
• Pest & disease assessment/control (May and September)
• Summer pruning and thinning (June and July)

We are seeking volunteers to help teach workshops!
Are you interested in sharing your knowledge on one (or more) of these topics?
Please contact Bob (503)284-6106,  bob@portlandfruit.org

Tree Care Teams:

Join us in increasing the health and abundance of urban fruit trees -- Become a Tree Care Team Member, or a Tree Care Team Leader! PFTP is forming small teams of volunteers to care for fruit trees registered and harvested by PFTP. Each Tree Care Team will include one ‘Team Leader’ with experience and skills in organic fruit tree care, who will teach and guide the group. Each team will be responsible for a group of trees in their area, visiting each tree once per season to complete the full spectrum of care throughout the year. This will be a unique opportunity develop strong skills in fruit tree care, meet new people, and improve the health and productivity of trees providing food to your community! Members and Leaders will participate in ten 3-hour work-parties over a 9-month period (February-October, 2010). Topics/tasks will include: Winter Pruning, Spring check-ups/Pest & Disease Control, Summer Pruning/Thinning, Fall Clean-Up/Pest & Disease Assessment.

Want to get involved? Please contact Bob to request an application (specify Tree Care Team MEMBER or Tree Care Team LEADER): 503-284-6106, bob@portlandfruit.org  Application Deadline: January 15th for Leaders, January 22nd for Members.

Put your skills/knowledge to great use and join PFTP in caring for our community's food resources.
Become a Workshop Instructor, Tree Care Team Leader, or Tree Care Team Member!  Click here to contact us today!   

This holiday season, give a gift that truly matters... healthy food for those who need it most. 

Over 11% of Oregonians experience food insecurity or fear of hunger each year, and many more cannot afford fresh produce, which is vital to healthy diets. Portland Fruit Tree Project provides a sustainable community-based solution to this critical and growing need.  By empowering neighbors to share in the harvest and care of urban fruit trees, we are preventing waste, building community knowledge and self-sufficiency, and creating sustainable, cost-free ways to obtain healthy, locally grown food.

In 2009, Portland Fruit Tree Project harvested over 14,000 pounds of fruit that would have otherwise gone to waste, putting fresh organic produce on the table for over 1,200 families in need. With your help, we can double this amount in 2010!

In these tough economic times, Portland Fruit Tree Project is needed more than ever – but we need your help! Our innovative model is the only one of its kind in the region, and has been heralded as an example to be used by other cites. We have doubled our program offerings each year, yet long waiting lists of harvest participants and registered trees continue to prove that our services are in high demand. Please help this vibrant project continue and grow in 2010. Your gift will make a big difference!

Please take this opportunity to support the unique and much-needed work of the Portland Fruit Tree Project. Your gift will help us make lasting change in the health and sustainability of communities in Portland and beyond!