About Us

Village Harvest is a nonprofit volunteer organization in Northern California whose mission is to provide food for the hungry, preserve our heritage and skills, and promote sustainable use of urban resources.  We organize and coordinate backyard fruit harvesting, and provide education on fruit tree care, harvesting, and food preservation.

We've become nationally recognized for our large Harvesting for the Hungry (H4H) program, which has harvested a record 173,000 lbs. of fruit from local backyards and small orchards in 2009.  A backyard fruit tree usually produces far more fruit than a household can use themselves, and there is more than enough going to waste from local backyards and farms to provide for our local community’s hungry.  We address this food distribution problem by organizing volunteer teams to harvest backyard fruit and donate it to charitable food agencies and organizations.  Our Fact Sheet (pdf) contains information for the Press and other organizations.

While Harvesting is our largest activity, a fruit tree is a resource for the community as well as the owner.  We provide educational materials and advice on fruit tree care and harvesting, and on food preservation such as making jams and preserves from home-grown fruit. We also work with local public and private orchard owners.

Village Harvest is an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization, funded through private donations and the sale of volunteer-made preserves.  Donations received are tax-deductible (Tax ID 04-3718164).

Current results:

• In 2009, VH volunteers harvested 173,000 pounds of fruit from nearly 500 homes, donated directly to food agencies in Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Yolo Counties.
• Around 15 to 20 harvesting events every month.
• Since our founding in 2001, VH volunteers have harvested over 940,000 lbs of fruit, over 2.5 Million nutritious Servings.
• Village Harvest has over 2000 homes and orchards which have been harvested or requested harvesting assistance, and over 2000 registered volunteers.