ABOUT US
Second Harvest
What is Second Harvest?
Second Harvest is Satisfy Food Rescue's gleaning programme. Gleaning means gathering edible fruit and vegetables that might otherwise be left on a tree, in a garden or in a field after the main harvest. A household may have more fruit than it can use, or a grower may have a good crop that cannot be picked or sold in time.
Growers tell Satisfy what is available, and we discuss whether there is a practical way to recover it. When a volunteer harvest can be arranged, local people help gather the produce. Satisfy then connects that fresh kai with food banks, schools, marae and community meal providers. Each offer is considered on its own because crop readiness, access, weather and the ability to use the produce all matter.
Why it matters
Good food can have a short window between being ready to pick and being lost. A fruit tree may ripen all at once, a garden may produce more than one family can use, or an orchard may have edible produce left after its commercial pick. Growers have already put time, land and care into raising that food.
Second Harvest brings together people who have produce, people willing to help gather it, and local organisations that can share it. It gives seasonal fruit and vegetables another chance to be enjoyed and adds fresh variety to the kai available in our communities.
Satisfy focuses on Waimakariri, Hurunui and Christchurch City.
How Second Harvest works
Every crop is different. This is the general path from an offer to fresh kai shared locally however this may differ slightly.
1.
A grower gets in touch via the below form.
Growers let us know what they are growing and contact details or if produce is available immediately they contact us via phone.
2.
We make contact with the grower.
We find out where the produce is, roughly how much is available and when it may be ready, timing, location and access, and what would be
needed to gather and share it and discuss harvest.
3.
Harvest is arranged with our volunteers.
We make contact with all of our volunteers and book in a harvest window. The crop and weather can change the exact timing.
4.
Fresh kai is shared.
Suitable produce is passed on through local organisations supporting people with food. Growers and volunteers both help good food go
further.
Have produce to share?
Your surplus could be someone else's fresh kai.
You do not just need to be a large commercial grower to get in touch. Second Harvest can start with a backyard tree, a productive home garden, a lifestyle block, a small growing operation or an orchard. Tell us what you have and roughly how much is available.
If you can pick the produce yourself, or it is already picked, please tell us. If you need help gathering it, let us know that too. We will discuss the crop and practical arrangements with you, including access to the property and the area where picking would take place.
If your crop is ready now or time-sensitive, please call:
Richard Hay
Satisfy Service Delivery Manager (External)
022 184 0357
Join a harvest crew
A harvest needs hands.
Harvest volunteers help turn a grower's offer into fresh kai for the community. Picking happens outdoors on different properties. The task, location and length of a pick can vary with the crop, and involves bending, reaching or carrying produce.
Fruit and vegetables do not always ripen to a tidy schedule. Some opportunities arise at short notice, and weather or crop conditions can change a plan. When we contact you it will be helpful to know where you can travel, when you are usually available and how much notice you can manage so we can contact you about opportunities that may suit you.
What to expect
Fill in the Harvest Volunteer sign up form and we will get in contact with you initially using your preferred method of contact.
Once you are on our Harvest Volunteer database you will be notified of all upcoming harvest opportunities.
Before deciding about an opportunity, you will hear where it is, what the task involves and the practical details available at that time. You can then decide if you are able to help volunteer for that harvest opportunity.
Each property is different, and picking will involve uneven ground and outdoor conditions as well as possible heavy lifting.
Registering tells us you are interested. It does not book you onto a pick or commit you to every harvest.
Organising a group?
A business, school or community group can make a real contribution to a harvest. Group opportunities work best with a flexible date window because the crop and weather determine when a pick can happen.
Email us with a contact name, your approximate group size and location, and a range of dates that could work. We can then discuss with you what may be possible as crops become available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I offer fruit from a home garden?
Yes. A home tree or garden can be worth telling us about. Share the crop, rough amount and likely ready window so we can discuss what is practical.
Some marks or bruising can be fine if produce is fit to eat. Completely decayed produce cannot be donated. Please ask us if you are unsure.
Does produce need to look perfect?
What if I have already picked it?
Donations of food can be made in a number of ways, for smaller domestic donations, please feel free to drop them directly to our warehouse at 304 Flaxton Road, Rangiora between the hours of 9-3pm each weekday. Or for larger or more regular food donations we may be able to be collect them from you, please call: 027 951 6052 to check. Please check our list to ensure your food meets our donation criteria.
Do I need harvesting experience?
You can register interest without prior harvesting experience, we will show you what to do and induct you onto any sites. We will share the task and conditions for each harvest opportunity so you can decide if it suits you.
Do volunteers need a fixed commitment?
No. Harvests are occasional and can be seasonal. Join our harvest database and you will be notified of each harvest and then decide whether each opportunity works for you.
What if a planned pick changes?
Ripeness and weather can change a plan at short notice. If you are involved in a pick, check the latest details from Satisfy before travelling. Notifications will be sent out.