The Meander Valley Harvest Co-operative hopes to connect fruit tree owners with volunteer pickers, with a goal of reducing waste by aiding those often unable to harvest the fruit on their own.

The group is determining the direction of the project through community consultation, and hopes to launch over the harvest season next Autumn.

Meaner Valley Local Food for Local People coordinator Catherine Smith said any excess produce would be shared, and workshops could be held to process it into jams, chutneys, juice, vinegar and dried fruit.

“Community dinners can be held utilising the fruits of our labour. Excess produce or preserves could also be shared through Emergency Relief at Deloraine House.”

She said a third of the produce could go to volunteer harvesters, a third to owners, and a third to the co-op to be utilised in the workshops.

Ms Smith said she will be engaging schools and various community groups to get involved.  

Produce to the People is a similiar organisation that has been running for a number of years, its founder Penelope Dodd, said the Burnie-based group assisted up to 400 people a week.

“We do a delivery service to people that don’t have transport, often if we see fruit or vegetables in people’s gardens not being used, we’ll often encourage them to get in contact with us if they want to share,” she said.

According to the Tasmanian Food Security Council, more than one in ten children in Tasmania live in households with incomes less than $40,000 a year and experience food insecurity on a regular basis.

Ms Dodd pointed out that food donors were protected in Tasmania under the Civil Liability Act 2002.

She advised the Meander Valley organisation to ensure dedicated people are driving the whole process so that it stays afloat.

For more information on the Meander Valley Harvest Co-operative, head to: https://www.facebook.com/MeanderValleyHarvestCoop/