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Welcome To Tree Harvest and Gleaning Registration

FruitFull collaborates with volunteers, community partners, and local government agencies to maintain fruit trees and gather the organic, market-quality fruit for local food banks and homeless shelters.

Would you like to reduce waste and help combat food insecurity by repurposing the fruit from your home tree? We offer two options for sharing your harvest! You can either have a FruitFull team member collect your fruit or harvest your own tree with our Self-Pick program (See below for more details).

Option 1: Have a FruitFull team member harvest your tree

To have a FruitFull team member harvest your tree, please follow these two simple steps:

Register your tree using the button below and provide us with details such as the type, size, number, accessibility, and location of your tree(s). You can sign up your tree with us at any time of the year, and it only needs to be done once. If you've signed up your tree with FruitFull before, you don't need to repeat this process.
Schedule your harvest date and prepare your tree accordingly.

Once your fruit is ripe, a member of our harvest team will contact you to schedule a date for your harvest. We prioritize our schedule based on the ripening of fruit varieties across the city and any previous harvest records we have for your tree. If you believe your fruit is early or have ripe fruit but haven't heard from us, please email info@befruitfull.org. To help our team understand the size of your tree and ensure the fruit is ripe and ready to be picked, your harvester may request photos of the tree and/or fruit. On the day of the harvest, please ensure that the tree is easily accessible for the harvester by unlocking gates, keeping pets inside, and providing a clear pathway to and around the tree.

*Kindly note that we make every effort to visit as many registered homes as possible to pick fruit, but we cannot guarantee that we will harvest fruit from all trees that are signed up. We prioritize fruit that is free from pest damage and can be donated to food banks. If you have fruit that is infested with bugs, or if you are capable of picking your own fruit, we encourage you to harvest it yourself and place it in paper bags, totes, or boxes for a FruitFull staff or volunteer to collect. For more information on the types and quality of fruit we can accept, please refer to our FAQ section. Additionally, if your tree is situated on a steep slope, uneven ground, or in a precarious location where a ladder cannot be safely used, we may be unable to effectively harvest your tree.

Option 2: Harvest your own tree through our Self-Pick program

If you prefer to pick your own fruit, it helps us save time and resources, while providing an opportunity for you to donate your fruit and time. To participate, simply harvest your fruit and place it into paper bags, reusable totes, or shallow boxes, making sure not to stack soft fruits like guavas or persimmons. Please notify us at least 2-3 days before you plan to harvest by emailing info@BeFruitFull.org or calling our Harvest Lead at (909) 576-8118. You may also drop off your fruit at a nearby FruitFull drop-off location.

*Please don't wait until the fruit falls to the ground. If the fruit has already fallen, it can't be donated to food banks, but we can set it aside for compost partners. We cannot accept fruit with broken skin or large soft spots, as they will quickly mold and contaminate other fruits in storage. Fruits of this quality will be composted immediately. Please refer to our FAQ section below for more information on the types and quality of fruit that we accept.

I'M READY TO REGISTER MY TREE

Harvest Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gleaning?

According to the USDA, gleaning is the process of gathering surplus fresh food from various sources such as farms, gardens, farmers markets, grocers, restaurants, and state/county fairs, and then distributing it to those in need. Gleaning helps to reduce food waste and provides insight into areas where support for food distribution may be lacking.

What types of fruit can we take?

At FruitFull, we welcome a diverse range of fruit varieties, such as oranges, lemons, limes, guavas, persimmons, avocados, apples, grapes, pomegranates, grapefruits, kiwis, loquats, nectarines, olives, peaches, strawberries, figs, cherries, quinces, apricots, plums, and prunes. While we do accept donations of berries, we encourage growers to Self-Pick these fruits before donating them to us.

Can we take fruit that is undersized, bruised, or buggy?

FruitFull's primary objective is to collect high-quality, pest-free fruit of marketable size (USDA Size 1 or 2) to distribute among local communities. If you're aware that your fruit is pest-damaged or undersized (Size 3+), we suggest harvesting it yourself via our Self-Pick program. The fruit can then be redirected to our partners, who can process it into sauces, jams, ciders, and other goods. We can only accept mildly bruised fruit for immediate processing. Please note that we CANNOT accept fruit with broken skin or large soft spots, as they will spoil quickly and contaminate other fruits in storage. You can also register your tree with us if you'd like a FruitFull team member to help you with the harvest. However, because we have limited staff and prioritize high-quality fruit, we can't guarantee your tree will be harvested during the season. If you're a baker, cider-maker, jam-maker, or similar and would like access to damaged or undersized fruits, please send us a partnership inquiry at info@BeFruitFull.org.

The two Asian pears on the left side of the photo are USDA Size 1/2. The two pears on the right side of the photo are USDA Size 3+ fruit. The rightmost fruit cannot be donated to a food bank, and would likely be composted.

The entry holes from common pests like the apple maggot fly or codling moth can be small and sometimes difficult to notice. However, they can cause immense damage to the inside flesh of the fruit. Always check near the stem and bottom of your fruit for holes and frass (insect poop that looks like sticky sawdust).

What is Citrus Greening Disease? And how do I prevent the spread of it?

In California, a plant ailment capable of killing citrus trees has been detected. This condition, known as Huanglongbing or Citrus Greening Disease, poses no threat to humans but is lethal for citrus trees, with no known cure. Leaves and stems may harbor the Asian Citrus Psyllid, which is a carrier responsible for spreading of this disease. It’s transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid, which feeds on the leaves of citrus trees. In order to prevent the spread of this disease, kindly ensure the removal of any leaves or stems before sharing. Also you can inspect leaves and fruits for signs of the pest and disease. (see below) * Fruit that remains green even when ripe * Asymmetrical blotchy mottling of leaves * Visible psyllids or waxy psyllid droppings * Lopsided, bitter, hard fruit with small, dark aborted seeds * Yellow shoots * Twig dieback * Stunted, sparsely foliated trees that may bloom off season

A FruitFull harvester may request photos of your tree and fruit in the week or two leading up to your scheduled harvest. These photos assist us in preparing for the harvest by determining the tree's height and location, and the readiness of the fruit. In some cases, it may be challenging to assess ripeness from photos alone, and your harvester may ask for additional information such as taste and ease of detachment from the branch. Providing us with this information ensures that FruitFull uses its resources and time efficiently, while also reducing carbon emissions from unnecessary trips. Your efforts are appreciated, and they help us to harvest and distribute the most fruit to the community. Thank you for your support!

Why do you ask for photos of the tree and fruit before coming to harvest?

Will FruitFull send harvesters when I’m not home?

Fruitfull understands that not all tree owners may be available during harvests and is happy to schedule them even when owners are not home. However, owners are responsible for ensuring their pets are secured and unlocking any gates, as well as providing information about any potential hazards in their backyard, such as loose pavement or construction. It is important to communicate with the harvest team member about whether you will be present or away from your property during the harvest. If your neighbors share or look after a portion of your property, please inform them that a harvester will be present. Please note that harvesters are not authorized to enter your home, garage, shed, or basement. The tree and any necessary tools for the harvest must be easily accessible to the harvester.

What can I expect the day of my scheduled harvest?

In case you won't be present during a scheduled harvest, your assigned Fruitfull team member will adhere to your instructions on how to access your tree. They will pick all the ripe and easily accessible fruit, unless you request for them to leave some behind. Afterwards, they will send you an email update on the total amount of fruit harvested. If you will be home during the scheduled harvest, you have a few options. If you prefer not to be disturbed or are working from home, the harvester will follow the instructions you provide for accessing and harvesting the fruit. If you want to be informed of the harvester's arrival, they will knock on your front door at the start and end of the harvest. The harvester will still send you an email update on the amount of fruit picked. Amid the pandemic and by request, harvesters will be provided with face masks (or bring their own) and have the option to wear them if they wish to do so.