Free Apple Picking

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This activity can take some nerve, because it can involve meeting new people and asking for things, but it can be incredibly rewarding.

There are so many apple trees around, and most people just rake up and dispose of rotting apples. I was one of them growing up, but many people would love to see their excess fruit go to good use.

I once heard of a group, that picked fruit from unused fruit trees in people’s yards, all over Toronto, then they sold the fruit to raise money for charity.

Picking fruit from your neighbours trees, with permission, can save money, allow you to eat local and organic, and forge relationships you never would have otherwise had.

How it Started

Last summer my kids loved to pick raspberries from a bush that grew through a fence, backing onto the school field. They were always so excited to find ripe berries and checked each time we went past.

It had brought us so much joy, that at the end of the season, we made a berry crisp and brought it to give to those neighbours (whom we had never met). We were a little nervous approaching them, but they were happy to find out that children had enjoyed their berries. When they brought back our pan, they brought us raspberry jam and invited us to pick pears in the autumn.

We continued exchanging seasonal treats this year and and enjoy chatting when we pass by. It’s a relationship that brings both sides so much joy and would never have happened if we stayed in our comfort zones.

So What About Apples?

Between our house and the local playground, there is a beautiful apple tree. It’s small enough for the children to reach and has bright red apples. It didn’t seem like anyone else was picking them, so I decided to step out of my comfort zone again. When the owner of the house was sitting on her front porch, I asked if the kids and I could pick apples some time. She said she was happy to let us pick as many as we wanted. So one morning, we came back and picked a whole bag full (and sampled a few ourselves).

There were enough apples to make three apple pies. Robin and I delivered one to their door, in time for Thanksgiving.

As we were picking apples, a teenager walked by, looking at us. I said nervously, “We got permission to do this!” He said, “Hey, I’m not judging. I’ve been looking at those apples all week.” How many of us have done this? How many people’s days could be brightened by reaching out to another person, in neighbourly friendship, and sharing what the earth has provided us.

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