This is a big week for us at City Fruit. 
Did you know that it’s National Volunteer Week? We love our amazing volunteers who help maintain Seattle’s public orchards!
Also, this Wednesday marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! This year’s theme is Climate Action, and we at City Fruit are all about increasing green infrastructure. (We’re talking trees!)
And to top it all off, Arbor Day is this Friday!
But this week is an important one to City Fruit for other reasons. This week we are launching our spring campaign to fund the 2020 harvest!
For the next three weeks, we’ll be working to raise $15,000 to help us get ready for the summer harvest. If you are in a position to help, we hope you will contribute.
Why is the harvest extra important this year?
Many of our community partners (especially food banks) are competing for food supplies from distributors and grocery stores. With panic buying, grocery stores don’t have a lot of excess produce to donate or make available at a discounted price. Food banks are paying nearly the retail price, which is leaving them with empty shelves.
During this pandemic, City Fruit’s services are uniquely essential. City Fruit harvests fruit that is already growing on thousands of trees across Seattle. It is crucial that we keep these trees healthy and ready to harvest, so we can provide nutritious fruit to our community partners.
What will the money be used for?
The money will be used for tools (like fruit pickers), transportation to get around to hundreds of trees, seasonal staffing costs, and outreach to hundreds of tree owners. We also plan to host 12 free pop-up fruit stands throughout the summer, including at least 8 in underserved neighborhoods.
Ready to help?
You can help ensure we are ready for the 2020 harvest by making a gift. We appreciate gifts of any size.
You can make a contribution at www.cityfruit.org/donate, or mail a check to 3417 Evanston Ave. N, Suite 210, Seattle, WA 98103.
Thank you!
Thank you for the many ways you help City Fruit put our urban orchard to its best and fullest use so that everyone in our community shares in the value of fruit.
– Laura Skelton
Interim Executive Director
