Burnley Fruit Squad is a volunteer program which addresses:

• concerns about the environment
• social isolation, and
• the distribution of resources to those in need.

Managed by the Richmond Community Learning Centre, the program aims to harvest excess fruit from households and backyards in Richmond and share it with those who might be unable to easily access fresh food.

As well as being a means of distributing free, fresh and local produce which might otherwise go to waste, the Burnley Fruit Squad aims to foster community interaction by forging links between the volunteers who harvest the fruit and the householders they visit.

In a time when we consume more and waste much, another objective of the program is to reduce the amount of organic material that ends up in landfill, thereby having a positive impact on the environment.

Volunteering encourages social cohesion and the sharing of skills and Richmond Community Learning Centre is currently seeking volunteers to join the fruit-picking team and householders who own fruit trees in Richmond.

To join as a fruit picker or fruit tree owner contact Oren (Community and Programs Officer) on 9428 9901 or email.