Loads of lemons: 800kg so far this season
The harvest that broke all the records - and the happy harvesters who helped
This season has already been one for the books! Our volunteers have helped rescue a whopping 800 kg of lemons from backyards, nature strips, and community gardens across Warrnambool and surrounds, saving this beautiful fruit from going to waste and turning it into something truly special.
One of the standout moments came from a single tree on Lava Street, where our crew picked an incredible 111 kg of lemons in just one harvest. That’s a perfect example of how generous local trees and local people can be when we work together.
From tree to kitchen
After the picking comes the preserving, and that’s where the magic happens. Thanks to a dedicated processing crew, more than 100 kg of freshly rescued lemons were transformed into all sorts of zingy, sunshine-filled goodness. From classic lemon jam and tangy marmalade to cordial, curd, and slices, nothing went to waste.
We had sticky fingers, the aroma of lemon zest filling the room, and plenty of laughter as jars, bottles, and labels piled up. It’s amazing what can be achieved when a group of passionate people come together with a shared goal: to make something delicious from fruit that might otherwise have ended up in the compost.
Community spirit in every jar
Every lemon we rescue tells a story of connection between local tree owners who share their surplus, volunteers who lend a hand to harvest, and community members who enjoy the results. Together, we’re reducing waste, building skills, and funding the future of our food rescue programs.
This season’s lemon produce will be front and centre at our major fundraising activities over the coming months, and we’d love you to come along to sample, chat, and support our work:
Warrnambool Community Garden Discovery Day – Saturday 20 September, 10 am–2 pm. We’ll be serving Devonshire Tea and lemonade made with Fruit Rescue preserves, alongside our info stand and other wonderful community groups.
St Patrick’s Primary Koroit – Picnic in the Paddock – Sunday 26 October, 11 am–3 pm. We’re once again teaming up with the Koroit Community Produce & Plant Swap crew for a day of fun, flavour, and community spirit.
Warrnambool Multicultural Festival – Saturday 8 November, 10 am–3 pm, Civic Green. A colourful, vibrant celebration hosted by the Warrnambool Multicultural Association — come and find us among the festivities!
Thank You
A heartfelt thanks to every tree guardian, picker, and preserver who played a part in rescuing these 800kg of lemons. You’ve helped stop good food from going to waste and brought a burst of citrus sunshine into our community.
If you’d like to get involved by registering a fruit tree, joining a harvest, or volunteering at one of our events we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can keep turning local excess into community goodness, one fruit at a time. 🍋💛
