Fruit Rescue Program FAQ
All fruit rescues in Edmonton are now managed by the Leftovers' Home Harvest program which is FREE for everyone. Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions about this change and what you'll need to know
Fruit Rescue FAQ
FAQ
Please see general questions about our new fruit rescue program. Fruit Pickers and Growers FAQ below.
Why did OFRE stop running the fruit rescue program?
Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton (OFRE) made the decision to stop coordinating fruit rescues in 2024 so we could focus fully on teaching food preservation skills. After years of organizing picks across Edmonton, we saw an opportunity to have a bigger impact by ensuring more of the rescued fruit could be safely stored, canned, or shared year-round.
To keep fruit rescue thriving, we partnered with the Leftovers Foundation, whose Home Harvest program now manages all local fruit picks.
With their advanced technology and volunteer network, the program can handle Edmonton fruit rescue on a much larger scale. This partnership means the mission continues: less food waste, more access, and stronger food security for our community.
What is Leftovers?
The Leftovers Foundation is one of Canada’s largest tech-enabled food rescue charities with the goal of reducing food waste and increasing access.
Does Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton still manage any fruit rescues?
No. All fruit rescues are now managed through Leftovers Home Harvest program. You may still sign up as a grower or a fruit picker with Leftovers! We will offer occasional group picks and gleans.
Does Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton still exist?
YES! And membership is FREE! We continue to offer workshops, events, and cider pressings! These events will be both online and in-person at our orchard! Our focus has shifted from direct fruit rescue to education regarding ways to reduce food insecurity in the community.
Each membership includes a discounted rate on all our workshops and events.
Growers FAQ
home owners
Growers FAQ are as follows:
I have fruit in Edmonton available to be picked. Where do I sign up to have a volunteer come and pick my fruit?
You may sign up for a FREE fruit rescue using the Leftovers Home Harvest Form. This form is very similar to what OFRE used in the past, only better!
Once you complete this form a coordinator from Leftovers will email you within 4 days. You will be able to login to an online grower portal to request a fruit pick or pickup (already harvested) on your selected date. Then, you may monitor if anyone has signed up for your fruit harvest using the grower portal. If a volunteer signs up for your harvest, they will call you 1-2 days before to confirm the details.
I have vegetables to share and/or harvest. Where do I sign up to have a volunteer come and harvest my vegetables?
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Fruit Pickers FAQ
pickers
Fruit Pickers FAQ are as follows:
I would like to pick fruit. How do I find a fruit rescue to sign up for?
You may sign up to pick fruit using the Leftovers Food Rescue App. Download this FREE App on Google Play or the Apple App Store.
** Please keep in mind that the Home Harvest program is new to our growers. As growers learn about the changes, more fruit rescues will become available. **
Once downloaded, you may use the Food Rescue App to find a fruit pick or other food rescue to sign up for.* The food rescue app is easy to use and designed to work around your schedule.
*NOTE: The Home Harvest module is not yet live on the Food Rescue App as Leftovers is still developing the software. This feature will be added at the end of May, just before the harvest season starts. At that point, you will be able to see only Home Harvest routes by going to All Routes -> All -> Home Harvest (under Set Program). Currently, the only options there are “All, Rescue Food & Fresh Deliveries”.
May I keep a portion of the fruit I pick?
Likely, yes. However, this decision is up to the grower sharing their harvest. Leftovers donates a minimum of half of the harvested food to a service agency. The other half may be split between the grower and the volunteer (grower’s decision).
Food Charities FAQ
charities
Edmonton Food Charities FAQ are as follows:
Our food charity would like to receive fruit donations. How do we sign up?
Charities interested in receiving rescued fruit should contact Leftovers. Sign up using the Leftovers Service Agencies Form.