Home Harvest Volunteer

Leftovers Foundation is one of Canada’s largest, tech-enabled food rescue organizations. We envision a world where communities come together to reduce food waste and reshape how we fight poverty, save the environment, and address racial, economic, and social inequities in our food systems. As part of our commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA), we provide ongoing training and welcome volunteers from all backgrounds.

About the role

Join our seasonal Home Harvest program and use the Leftovers Rescue Food app to pick up and deliver home-grown produce in your neighborhood. City residents with excess garden produce sign up as “growers” and request pickups through our app. Volunteers collect the produce—sometimes harvesting it themselves—and deliver it to local service agencies or upcyclers. As a thank-you, volunteers may keep a portion of the harvest.

Routes are flexible: sign up individually or with friends/family, arrange pickup times with the grower, and complete the delivery. Afterward, log the donation weight and answer a short survey in the app.

Responsibilities

• Use the Leftovers Rescue Food app to find and sign up for nearby harvests.
• Contact the grower 48 hours before the harvest to confirm details and discuss equipment needs.
• Harvest produce (if required), ensuring it is safe and ripe; leave unripe or contaminated items.
• Transport the harvest to the designated service agency or upcycler within the agreed timeframe.
• Report the donation weight and complete a post-harvest survey in the app; share photos if possible.

Requirements

• Mobility and ability to perform light physical work: walking, reaching, bending, and picking produce from trees or the ground.
• Coordination and communication: must contact the grower to arrange details and notify the Leftovers team if issues arise.
• Transportation: at least one volunteer per group must have a valid driver’s license to transport people and produce.
• Comfort working outdoors; use judgment to reschedule in poor weather.
• Safety awareness: avoid pest-damaged or contaminated produce; postpone or leave unsafe items.
• Equipment: bring boxes, bags, or containers; a ladder or fruit picker may be needed for larger harvests. Must be able to lift heavy items.

Skills

• Harvesting/gardening experience (helpful but not required).
• Community engagement and communication.
• Strategic planning and time management.

Benefits

• Keep a portion of the harvest as a token of appreciation.
• Flexible, micro-volunteering opportunities (30 minutes to 2 hours per route).
• Training and orientation provided; all necessary details and supplies available on request.

Open to volunteers aged 13+ (individuals, groups, families, or school/community service hours). French-speaking, bilingual, or multilingual volunteers are welcome. No criminal record or child abuse registry check required.