This new program for our communities is inspired by the wonderful fruit picking and sharing project contributions of landowners/tree registrants, volunteer pickers, harvesters, gleaners and staff of the team of Not Far from the Tree in Toronto that since 2008 to date has picked and shared over 231,037 lbs of fruit across Toronto. This has been made possible by the generous support of over 1,800 tree registrants and 2,200 fruit pickers.
Here in Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton of Treaty 20 we have thousands of edible fruit trees in our towns and on rural land whose fruit is currently going to waste and we want to try, like Not Far From the Tree, to change this.
There are also vegetable gardeners who find that they have extra food at the end of the season and this food goes to waste.
Spatial Analysis
The food charities associated with the program were separated into four different categories: Kawartha Lakes Food Source Member & Non-Member, Haliburton County FoodNet and Free Little Food Pantry. While the food sources are evenly distributed in the Municipality of Kawartha Lakes, they are more sparsely distributed in the Country of Haliburton. While the areas are not densely populated, the food sources are not dispersed in the same pattern as the population, resulting in uneven per-capita availability. Overall, only 72.86% of the study area is within a 60 minute drive of a food source.
Tree Information
Learn about common fruit trees and what they provide
Apple
Malus domestica
Apricot
Prunus sect. Armeniaca
Blueberry
Vaccinium sect. Cyanococcus
Cherry
Prunus avium
Chestnut
Castanea spp.
Currant
Ribes spp.
Elderberry
Sambucus spp.
Gooseberry
Ribes spp.
Grape
Vitis spp.
Mulberry
Morus spp.
Peach / Nectarine
Prunus persica
Pear
Pyrus spp.
Plum
Prunus subg. Prunus
Raspberry
Rubus spp.
Strawberry
Fragaria × ananassa
Walnut
Juglans spp.
Apple
Malus domestica
Common apple (Malus domestica) was derived from wild apples growing in Central Asia more than 3000 years ago. At one time, there were over 10,000 different varieties - each with unique properties including size, taste, texture, color, and hardiness.
Apricots have been cultivated for at least 5,000 years. Even though the origin of the apricot may still be unknown, they were probably introduced to North America approximately 200-300 years ago. Today, apricot cultivation has spread to every part of the world that has the climates to support it.
"Lowbush blueberries" (synonymous with "wild") produce small, pea-size berries growing on low-level bushes, while "highbush blueberries" produce larger berries growing on taller, cultivated bushes. Canada is the world's leading producer of lowbush blueberries.
Most cherry cultivars belong to the species sweet cherry (P. avium), originated in Europe and western Asia. Cherry has been cultivated by many different cultures for several thousands of years, from the ancient Romans and early Britons to the Chinese, Japanese and Persians. Today, cherry trees are grown throughout the world.
Chestnuts have little protein or fat - their calories come chiefly from carbohydrates. Fresh chestnut fruits provide about 820 kJ (200 kcal) of food energy per 100 g of edible parts, which is much lower than walnuts, almonds, other nuts, and dried fruit (about 2,500 kJ or 600 kcal per 100 g).
Currants were first domesticated in Scandinavia, around 1600. It's speculated that the Vikings may not have named their Newfoundland settlement, Vineland, after grapes, but after the wild currants found there. After taking root in England, the cultivated varieties were brought to North America.
Elberberry grows wild in many areas in eastern North America, including much of southern Ontario. All elderberry cultivars are partially self-fruitful. It is not a significant commercial crop, but is commonly grown in home gardens.
American gooseberry originated in the eastern North America while European varieties likely originated in mountainous areas of northern Europe. Gooseberry is high in Vitamin C and contains potassium, Vitamins B1, B2 and A. One-half cup of fresh gooseberries contains approximately 34 calories.
Grapes have been cultivated since before recorded history, probably originating between the Caspian Sea and Persia (present-day Iran). While they were eaten raw, from early times, most grapes were used for wine-making. Today, there are thousands of hybrid varieties grown throughout the world.
Generally, there are three well-known types of mulberry based on the fruit color: white, red, and black mulberry. Raw mulberries contain 88% water, 10% carbohydrates, 1% protein, and less than 1% fat.
Peaches and nectarines are regarded commercially as different fruits but they are in fact are the same species. The skin of nectarines lacks the fuzz that peach skin has due to a single gene mutation. Peaches are not only a popular fruit, but also are symbolic in many cultural traditions worldwide.
Originating in eastern Asia or China, pear is one of the first fruits to be brought to North America from Europe. Pear has been cultivated for thousands of years and has produced thousands of varieties. It is is a good source of fiber and a source of Vitamin C, potassium and folacin.
Wild plums native to North America were gathered and eaten by aboriginal peoples for thousands of years. Today, common Ontario plums belong to one of two types: Japanese and European - both were introduced to the continent by European colonists.
Wild raspberries have been eaten in the Old World since prehistoric times, and cultivation began in England and France, probably in the 1600s. In North America, raspberries were a treat well into the mid-1800s. Raspberry is a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and fibre.
Strawberry has existed since prehistoric times. The wild strawberries were originally picked for medicinal purposes. It is an excellent source of Vitamin C, potassium and fibre while being low in calories.
Although culinarily considered a "nut" and used as such, walnut is not a true botanical nut. Walnut contains 4% water, 15% protein, 65% fat, and 14% carbohydrates, including 7% dietary fiber. The most common major species of walnuts grown for their seeds is the Persian or English walnut.