Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton (a.k.a. OFRE. Pronounced “offer”)
Established in 2009, OFRE is a non-profit organization. Our project grew out of an interest in locally grown food, raising awareness about food security, and establishing urban, local connections with our food.
Mission: OFRE will mobilize volunteers to harvest, process, and preserve local fruit. OFRE will get the fruit in the hands, mouths, and minds of people in the Edmonton capital region by fostering community involvement and knowledge sharing.
Vision: The Edmonton capital region is a place where all of the locally grown fruit is used productively to support the health and well-being of the community.
Values: (SCALE)
Sharing – Distributing of excess fruit to maximize use and minimize waste.
Connecting – Connecting people together to build a strong diverse community.
Access – Allowing anyone, no matter of their income, access to fresh local fruit.
Local – Think local, act local, for sustainable independent solutions.
Education – Empowering people through teaching, learning, and understanding the benefits of locally grown food.
How can OFRE help home owners? Do you have a fruit tree that you don’t have the time or the energy to harvest? Are there more berries than you can handle? Do you want to share your fruit tree with members of your community? If the answer is yes, OFRE can help! OFRE will send volunteer pickers to private residences to pick fruit upon request of the home owner.
- 1/4 goes to the home owner
- 1/4 goes to Edmonton’s Food Bank or other charitable organizations* (See of fruit recipients page for more information)
- 1/4 goes to the volunteer fruit pickers
- 1/4 goes to OFRE for processing
In addition to collecting fruit, we also organize canning & preserving events during the harvest season. Check our events and projects for more information.
