Volunteer information and hints

How does harvest work?

You’ll receive an email from us each time we have a new harvest opportunity. In our busy season, there may be the possibility of having two or three harvests per day. You are welcome to select the harvest of your preference and make a reservation through the link in the email.

Who facilitates the harvests?

Our Harvest Leaders are all skilled volunteers, and they’ll meet you at the harvest location. When you arrive at the harvest site, the leader will explain to all the volunteers what and how to harvest, safe use of any tools or equipment, and manage weighing and distribution of the fruit.

Listen carefully to any safety information or instruction provided by the harvest leader, please only pick where you have been asked to pick.

If you find that you can’t make it to a harvest, please let your harvest leader know as soon as possible! There’s often a waiting list of volunteers who want to join the harvest.

Can I bring....

a friend?

Friends are always welcome; however, they must register as a volunteer with Fruit Rescue first and then book their own ticket using the link in the email (it’s fine to share the link once they are a registered volunteer).

my child?

If you decide to bring children along, you are always responsible for their safety and supervision for the safety of the area and homeowner’s property.

Some harvests are more suitable for children than others – we provide general information in our harvest emails about the location, but they are under your care from a risk perspective.

My pet?

We don’t encourage pets at harvests. The tree owner may have their own pets or may not want animals coming into their garden.

Is it hard work? How fit should I be?

Volunteers of all ages and fitness levels are welcome at harvests. We don’t expect anyone to undertake anything they are not physically comfortable doing.

Know your limits, and volunteer safely – you don’t need to prove anything or wear yourself out during the harvest. Let your harvest leader know if you need to stop or take a break at any time.

Let the harvest leader know if you have a medical condition or allergy for which you may need assistance.

What do I need to wear and bring?

It’s important to dress appropriately for the weather and the task at hand. We suggest a sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen, long sleeves and long pants for sun protection, and to minimise scratches if you’re harvesting in close quarters with a tree or shrub!

Closed-toe shoes or boots are essential to protect your feet, thongs and high heels are unsuitable.

Don’t forget to bring a bottle of water so you can stay hydrated – harvesting can be hot and thirsty work.

Your harvest emails will include a reminder on everything you'll need to bring.

What about ladders and other equipment?

Fruit Rescue will provide any equipment needed, though you can bring anything you think may prove useful.

Please be mindful of your safety when using any equipment:

If you can’t or don’t want to go up a ladder, that’s fine – we’ve got stick pickers that allow you to harvest high fruit from the ground when everything that can be reached by hand is harvested. If using a ladder, always keep three points of contact on the ladder – both feet and a hand.   

When lifting something heavy, if possible, ask a second person for assistance. If not, use the strength of your legs. Stand as close to the item as possible, bend your knees, make sure your feet are shoulder width apart, squat down and then lift the object by straightening your legs. Don’t bend over to pick up a heavy object.

Avoiding overloading crates, only moving what you can easily manage. Be aware of other volunteers around you and leave plenty of space, especially when using stick pickers or pruning equipment

Remember harvesting is not a race – Fruit Rescue is also a social activity.

Take your time and take care to volunteer safely. Always ask your harvest leader for help if you are not sure how to use equipment or harvest safely.

What if someone gets injured while harvesting?

We have public liability insurance cover while providing volunteer services to us. The harvest leader can assist with this process if something happens.

You are always responsible for your own safety during the harvest. Please check with the harvest leader if you’re ever unsure or don’t feel comfortable doing something.

By volunteering with Fruit Rescue, you accept responsibility for the safety of others participating and any injury occurring because of your careless act, omission or negligence.

How is the harvest shared?

As a harvest volunteer, you will have the opportunity to share in a third of the fruit harvested each time. The rest of the fruit is shared between the tree owner and our charitable partners. If you know of a good cause that would like to receive fruit, you can encourage them to register on our website.

Respecting our tree owners

Our private tree owners generously allow us access to their property, and it’s important that we respect their garden and property – addresses of trees you harvest from should not be shared. 

Don’t wander into areas of the garden or house uninvited, and please follow any directions in relation to parking so we don’t upset neighbours.