not far from the tree

Last night’s End-Of-Season Celebration marked the many successes of our second year. A large crowd came out to provide a drumroll for our final tally of pounds picked: 8,135! Many more had hoped to join in on the fun but we sold out ahead of time. Next year we will be sure to book a larger venue!

Many thanks to those who made the evening possible: Carole from The Local Cafe (who not only catered the event but also happened to attend the very first meeting to form Not Far From The Tree), DJ Wes Allen (a first-class fruit gleaner with excellent musical taste), Greenest City (our beautiful hub hosts in Parkdale-High Park who loaned us their projector), Robin Newman (community arts intern for Not Far From The Tree who made a gorgeous fruit tree memory sculpture, prepared the slideshow for the event, and took the photos in the slideshow above), Eco Flora (who donated materials for Robin’s sculpture), Scott Loubser (whose cider press we’ve borrowed for much of the season), and Jason Logan (who brought wonderfully playful posters to show off the black walnut ink he made using husks from one of our forages).

There’s more! We’d also like to thank Steam Whistle Brewing (for donating their delicious locally-made beer), Suresh Doss of Spotlight Toronto (for acquiring donations of VQA wines), Sharon Bergey of Jamie Kennedy Kitchens (who designed our signature cocktail that proved to be quite the hit), the Wychwood Barns Community Association (a volunteer board that manages the Community Gallery), and of course the amazing crew of volunteers who made the evening happen without a hitch (Heather, Leehe, Meagan, Janet, Steve, Dena, Malgosia, Laura, Lark, Kris, John, Hilary, Xiana, Linda, and Matthew).

Special thanks goes to the local businesses and not-for-profits who donated items and services as door prizes:

The Stop Community Food Centre
Arsenal Pulp Press and Jae Steele
LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests)
Whole Self Fitness
Tarragon Theatre
WellPreserved.Ca
Alternative Grounds
Bonne Vie
Boom Breafkast & Co.
Bicycles At St.Clair
Ellington’s Music and Cafe
The Stockyards
Sutherland-Chan
St. John’s Bakery
Whitecap Books and Lorraine Johnson
The Shoelace Collective
Mabel’s Bakery & Specialty Foods