Community Events for Sustainability and Food Security in Edmonton
OFRE events
At Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton, we believe in growing food skills that last a lifetime. Our events bring Edmontonians together to reduce food waste, build food security, and share the joy of local harvests. From orchard care to preserving the fall bounty, every workshop connects community with sustainability.
Upcoming Events
workshops and classes
Learn how to can tomatoes, ferment kraut, bake sourdough, or press apples into cider. Our hands-on homesteading classes turn seasonal chaos into pantry calm (and sometimes jam).
Perogy Making Workshop: Learn How to Make Perogies from Scratch
A hands-on, prairie-rooted cooking workshop that teaches you how to make traditional perogies from scratch, guided by community knowledge and shared at the table.
Edmonton Seedy Saturday: Grow, Share, and Connect
Seedy Saturday is your gateway to sustainable gardening, vibrant community connections, and the preservation of local biodiversity. Join us in Edmonton for this cherished annual tradition of seed swapping, gardening education, and local food celebration.
Edmonton Seedy Sunday 2026: Celebrate Our Community Gardening Spirit
Seedy Sunday is Edmonton’s premier event for gardeners, seed enthusiasts, and anyone passionate about local food and sustainability. Join us to exchange seeds, learn new gardening techniques, and become part of a vibrant community movement!
Control Apple Maggots in Edmonton: Time to Act
Apple maggots are Edmonton’s top apple tree pest—but you can stop them. Learn how to spot, manage, and prevent infestations in this expert-led, $10 virtual training. Perfect for backyard growers and urban orchardists across Alberta and beyond.
Edmonton Scionwood Exchange – Get Your Graft On
Swap fruit tree cuttings at the Edmonton Scionwood Exchange! Connect with growers, trade grafting wood, and grow your orchard at this free event hosted by DBG Fruit Growers.
Managing Microclimates for Growing Fruits in the Urban Landscape
Turn your urban yard into a productive fruit oasis! Discover how to maximize your space, protect sensitive plants, and grow hard-to-find fruit varieties by understanding and utilizing microclimates. This workshop will empower you to create the garden you’ve always dreamed of.
Planting, Growing, and Caring for Fruit-Bearing Bushes and Trees in Edmonton
Discover how to plant, grow, and care for fruit-bearing trees and bushes that thrive in Edmonton's unique Zone 3 climate. This hands-on event delivers practical tips, local insight, and the confidence to build your own backyard food supply.
OFRE Annual General Meeting (AGM)
OFRE’s Annual General Meeting is your chance to shape the future of food rescue, preservation, and community in Edmonton. Join us in May for updates, elections, and a salad potluck full of fresh ideas and good company.
Hands-On Homesteading Classes in the Heart of Edmonton
Discover the Joy of Seasonal Skill-Building
At Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton (OFRE), our events invite you to reconnect with the time-tested skills that turn backyard harvests into pantry staples. If you're wrangling crabapples, eyeing your neighbour’s rhubarb jungle, or wondering what to do with six zucchinis the size of baseball bats—we've got a workshop for that.
From fermentation adventures to zero-waste preserving techniques, every OFRE event is built on hands-on learning, community connection, and the power of local abundance.
Grow, Harvest, Preserve: What to Expect
Our workshops cover the full cycle of seasonal food resilience:
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Urban homesteading basics like water bath canning, root cellaring, and dehydration for long-term storage
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Food preservation for all skill levels—from jams and jellies to fermented foods for gut health
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Garden-to-jar solutions for zero-waste cooking, including creative ways to use scraps, gluts, and gleaned produce
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Backyard fruit tree care and seasonal orchard maintenance (yes, we’ll help you tackle that apple maggot situation!)
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Family-friendly and beginner-welcoming sessions taught by local food leaders and preservation pros
Empowering Edmontonians Through Food Literacy
We believe food security starts with food knowledge. That’s why OFRE events blend practical skills with community-building:
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Affordable, accessible workshops designed for busy urban dwellers
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Classes tailored to Edmonton’s climate and Zone 3 harvest rhythms
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A warm, welcoming space to learn, share, and grow—no pressure, just pickles
Whether you’re preserving your garden’s bounty, rescuing fruit from a neighbour’s tree, or learning to stretch your food dollars, you’ll leave each event with new skills and deeper roots in Edmonton’s food community.
Stay in the Loop
New workshops are added seasonally—some sell out fast! Be sure to join our newsletter and be a part of the action.
