Sept 5 - Vic non-profit producing great fruits of labour

Good morning !

When we’re moved to give to charities there are so many worthy choices.
Our first story is about one of those.
It’s a Victoria organization that helps put fresh fruit into the hands and the mouths of many.
“In the past decade alone, we’ve harvested and redistributed over 330K pounds of fruit—an incredible amount of food that would have otherwise gone to waste,” says Lisa Small of the Lifecycles Project Society’s Fruit Tree Project.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

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Today: 🌤️ 28 / 14  

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Sunday: 🌧️ 21 / 15

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NEWS

Fruit Tree Project harvests record crop, non-profit seeks equipment funding

It has been a fruitful season for the Lifecycles Project Society’s Fruit Tree Project, which is having one of its busiest bursts in a long time.

As of Wednesday, through its volunteer growers and pickers, the Victoria-based charitable organization whose mission is to build a resilient food system by growing, harvesting, and sharing food, had already harvested more than 20K pounds of fresh fruit—almost twice the amount collected at this time last year.  

“While this is fantastic news for local food security, it also means we need more resources than ever to pick, sort, and distribute all this fruit before it goes to waste,” says Ella Swan, Fruit Tree Project manager.

While they can always use more volunteers, what they’re after right now is a little cash so they can increase their capacity to pick by buying additional equipment, running more training sessions, and saving for another van, Swan says.

Donations can be made online at fruit-tree-project.raiselysite.com.

The fruit is mainly harvested in hundreds of backyards across Greater Victoria. 

“People sign up to have their fruit trees picked, and we pick them with the support of many volunteers, thereby eliminating food waste and redistributing it to those who need it,” Lifecycles Project spokesperson Lisa Small tells Capital Daily.

The landowners and volunteers each get to keep one-quarter of the fruit, while the remaining half is redistributed.

A roster of some 200 volunteers picks fruit from June to November, starting with cherries, then plums, figs, pears, grapes, and apples.
The fruit is brought to Lifecycles’ Esquimalt HQ on Viewfield, where it is sorted into A-grade and B-grade. The A-grade fruit is redistributed through the Mustard Seed, which connects to more than 75 community partners, such as food banks, school meal programs, and community centres. 

The B-grade is turned into juice, cider, pies, and jams—“Avoiding as much waste as possible,” Small says. 

A week from tomorrow, Lifecycles is holding a fig jam–making and canning workshop, and two weeks from then, on Sept. 27, the non-profit is holding its annual Community Sharing Day. It’s free and open to the public from 11am to 3pm. at Welland Community Orchard on Stancil Lane, near Burnside West.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

If you signed an HVAC lease, you may be entitled to join a class-action settlement. [Consumer Protection BC]

Saanich Town Hall meeting next Tuesday. [Register to speak]

Traffic disruptions and CCTV will be deployed downtown. [Tomorrow 2-4pm]

Delays on Craigflower Road (Esquimalt side) today as crews repair crosswalks, starting at 7:30am.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

Support local journalism by supporting Capital Daily. Become a Capital Daily Insider member today and help bring local stories to life. 

NEWS

Events happening in Greater Victoria in September

As Victoria settles into the rhythm of a new school year, the city's event calendar shows no signs of slowing down. September brings a vibrant mix of familiar weekly favourites, including the Gorge Farmers Market and Moss Street Market, alongside major festivals like Rifflandia, Ribfest, and the Esquimalt and Saanich Lantern Festivals. 

Some big names will be stopping by Victoria—Bryan Adams will perform at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, and Rick Mercer will be at the Royal Theatre twice.
There will also be some new celebrations, such as the inaugural Soul of Vietnam at Ship Point.

It looks like the seasonal change only adds to the capital's cultural appeal.

Check out the full list of events here.

SPONSORED BY THE VICTORIA FOUNDATION

Changemakers tell their impact stories in Pulse magazine!

For thousands of years, harvesting shellfish has been an integral way of life for the Pauquachin First Nation—until 1997, when the harvest was closed due to marine pollution.

Nearly 30 years later, the Pauquachin Marine Team has been setting the groundwork for a new sea garden in the bay to revive an essential cultural practice, restore the bay’s health and food sources, and reawaken a deep bond to the beach.

Octavio Cruz, Pauquachin Marine manager, says the team of eight has spent a few years learning the structures of ancient sea garden sites and hearing from elders about traditional practices. “We’ve gone as far as Alaska and Hawaii to learn from different communities about Indigenous aquacultures,” he says.

Read all about the sea garden restoration and other impact stories in Pulse magazine!

⭐️ Capital Picks

⛸️🏊 Register for skating, swimming, aquatics, and fitness. [City of Victoria]

♻️ Victoria’s new Beyond the Curb program makes it easy to recycle flexible plastics, foam packaging, and small appliances and electronics. Learn more here.*

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

2 Cadillacs set on fire in Colwood; police think it was targeted 
A little after 1am yesterday, Westshore RCMP got calls about two cars on fire near Painter and Metchosin. Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang. Officers arrived to find a black 2021 Cadillac XT4 and a black 2011 Cadillac CTS engulfed in flames. Colwood Fire put out the fires. No injuries were reported. “We believe this was a targeted offense,” said RCMP Sgt. Kevin Shaw, who added there is “no indication the public at large is at risk.” Police have a suspect in mind who they said was seen running from the crime scene. [RCMP]

‘Man overboard’: Ferry passenger falls off vessel near Tsawwassen 
The accidental fall—it has not been revealed what caused it—happened moments after the 1pm sailing of the Spirit of Vancouver Island began on Wednesday, approximately 2 km from shore. “Man overboard” sounded on the speakers, and crews from the vessel and the nearby Queen of New Westminster responded with rescue boats. The individual was pulled from the water and transferred to the hospital in stable condition. Hour-long delays occurred for Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay sailings that followed. [CTV]

Langford renames park to honour longtime council member Winnie Sifert
Ernhill Park—between Jacklin and Sooke—was chosen because of its proximity to the former councillor’s neighbourhood. Sifert served as a member of the Langford Council for 27 years. “Her contributions to the community span more than four decades, including her involvement in various committees, Langford’s incorporation in 1992, and her advocacy for affordable housing and legalizing secondary suites,” the city said in a release. The park, located at 2649 Ernhill, was renovated in 2022 with new playground equipment, benches, and sports courts. The city said it would consult with the Sifert family—which had been waiting on such an announcement for years—to organize a dedication event. [City of Langford]  

SPONSORED BY GLENLYON NORFOLK SCHOOL

Join Us for a Fall Open House at GNS

At Glenlyon Norfolk School, students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 are seen, supported, and empowered to lead with confidence and compassion. Through the International Baccalaureate and a community of care, the GNS Effect begins early and lasts a lifetime. Discover how belonging and personalized learning shape extraordinary futures. Register today!

🗓️ Things to do

🎲 Board Game Zone at Mayfair: Challenge friends and family with classic and modern board games in support of Habitat for Humanity at Mayfair Shopping Centre. Today 5-8pm; tomorrow 11am-3:30pm. [Info]

🍖 Esquimalt Ribfest: Experience Victoria's #1 festival with amazing ribs, food trucks, live music, and family fun supporting local charities in this epic celebration of flavor. Bullen Park. Today & tomorrow 11am-10pm. Sunday 11am-9pm. [Info]

🍛 Spice & Soul Fridays: Pick up authentic, aromatic Swahili dishes from a trained Kenyan chef who studied at Boma International Swiss Culinary Program in Nairobi. 1250 Parkdale Creek Gardens. Today. 5-8pm. [Info]

🍽️ Farm to Table Dinner: Celebrate the late summer harvest with an intimate family-style dinner featuring fresh, locally grown ingredients, plus a night of mini golf afterward. Island View Farm & Mini Golf. Today. 5:30-9:30pm. [Info]

🚲 Fem and Queer Bike Repair Nights: Learn to fix your own bike in this inclusive workshop tailored for fem and queer learners, working on your actual bike issues with hands-on guidance. Recyclistas Bike Shop. Today. 6pm. [Info]

🎭 OK, DOPE Game Show: Watch three comedians battle it out in this improv game show where contestants compete for Victoria's ultimate improv glory through various challenges and prompts. The Mint Restaurant. Today. 8pm. [Info]

🏈 CJFL: Westshore Rebels host the Kamloops Broncos. Kids 12 and under and youth 13-18 who wear a sports jersey will get in for free. Starlight Stadium. Tomorrow. 4pm. [Info]

🌿 Botanical Zine Making: Learn to make botany-themed zines through drawing, writing, collaging, and crafting while connecting with fellow plant-loving artists. Compost Education Centre. Tomorrow. 10am-12pm. [Info]

👕 Clothing Swap & Shop Fundraiser: Bring up to 15 clothing items to swap for something new or shop unique pieces for just $5 each, plus enter a raffle with gift cards from local businesses. Fairfield Community Centre. Tomorrow. 10am-3pm. [Info]

🎭 Blind Dates Live with Alex Forman: Watch singles navigate live first blind dates on stage while comedian Alex Forman attempts to help but often makes things hilariously worse. The Mint Restaurant. Tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

🎻 Ian Maksin in Victoria: Experience a magical musical journey across time and space with an internationally acclaimed cellist and multilingual vocalist who sings in 40 languages. St Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Tomorrow. 7-8:30pm. [Info] 

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Salmon, trout returning to Saanich’s Gabo Creek; Westshore family tries to recover family heirloom lamp mistakenly dropped off at Value Village; Victoria council considering parking space reduction. [Sept. 4]

Food truck business targeted by vandals over the summer. [Capital Daily]

BCGEU strike: Union may target government services, avoid aggravating the public. [Times Colonist]

Strikes & job actions: BC bracing for autumn of labour discontent. [BIV]

Saanich pianist invents first-ever narrow-key digital piano—ideal for small hands. [CHEK]

2 hikers dead, 1 other presumed dead after going over BC waterfall. [Global News] 

That’s it!

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