Community
14 February, 2025
Workshop series marks milestone for Fruit Rescue
FRUIT Rescue will celebrate a two-tonne milestone with a summer workshop series.
Fruit Rescue has reached a significant milestone, rescuing and redistributing two tonne of fruit that would have otherwise gone to waste in south west Victoria.
To mark this achievement and continue its work of reducing food waste and promoting sustainability, Fruit Rescue is launching a summer workshop series featuring Craig Castree.
Craig Castree is an award-winning horticulturist with 45 years of experience in organic food production and edible garden design.
He serves as vice president of the Werribee Park Heritage Orchard at Werribee Park Mansion, restoring old fruit varieties for future enjoyment.
Since its inception in late 2023, Fruit Rescue has made a significant impact in the community.
The fruit saved is the equivalent of over $15,000 worth of produce, plus a reduction of over one thousand tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent from production emissions.
The organisation has released an impact report detailing the outcomes of its efforts so far, highlighting the effects on community health, sustainability, and food security in the region.
“We’re thrilled to have reached this milestone so quickly,” Courtney Mathew, director of Fruit Rescue said.
“It’s evidence to the power of community action and the generosity people in our neighborhoods.”
The workshop series, supported by funding from Warrnambool City Council, will offer free or low-cost sessions to the community.
Topics include a free Growing Great Fruit Trees talk on Saturday, February 22 from 12 noon at the Warrnambool library.
And on Sunday, February 23, Warrnambool Community Garden will host for a summer fruit tree pruning demonstration at 11am.
This will be followed by a Growing a Healthier, More Productive Edible Garden workshop at 2pm.
“These workshops are an excellent opportunity for our community to learn from one of Australia’s leading horticulturalists,” Ms Mathew added.
“We want to empower local residents with the knowledge and skills to grow and maintain productive fruit trees and edible gardens, supporting Fruit Rescue’s efforts of reducing food waste and promoting local food production.”
For more information about the summer workshop series or to get involved with Fruit Rescue, visit their website at fruitrescue.org.au or call 0481 505 415.
