Before its transformation into Silicon Valley, the Santa Clara Valley was for known as the Valley of Heart’s Delight for its high concentration of orchards, flowering trees, and plants. Until the 1960s it was the largest fruit production and canneries. Much of this history lives on in the people’s yards and a handful of the remaining orchards that dot the region through trees that were part of the agriculture that sustained the area for decades.
Most of these trees and orchards produce far more food than a family can use leaving most of the fruit grown at peoples homes going to waste.
Village Harvest is a San Jose based nonprofit volunteer organization whose mission is to provide food for the hungry, preserve our heritage and skills, and promote sustainable use of urban resources. They organize and coordinate backyard fruit harvesting, allowing these resources to get into the food banks and feed those in need.
In 2015 VH volunteers harvested 194,000 pounds of fruit, from 600 homes and small orchards, which is donated directly to food agencies in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.
Since their founding in 2001 Village Harvest volunteers have harvested over 2-million pounds of fruit, 4 million nutritious Servings, benefitting hundreds of thousands of people in the community.
Donate Your Fruit
If you have a large amount of fruit or are physically unable to harvest your fruit tree because of age or disability, Village Harvest organizes teams of volunteers to harvest and share with community organizations.
Donors will receive a charitable contribution tax receipt; there is no charge for this service.
To donate your fruit, please call:
(888) 378-4841
Volunteer
Volunteering with Village Harvest is a fun way to make a difference in the community -- join the nearly 1000 interesting and talented people who volunteer every year and make a difference for thousands in only a few hours of your time.
For more information, visit:
