Home Harvest: Innovation Through The Lens of the 5 A’s of Food Security

In an era where food security remains a critical global concern, innovation and creativity are required to bridge the gaps between abundance and scarcity. We talk a lot about our program, Rescue Food, as our volunteers are moving food *almost* every single day from commercial sources – but did you know that we capture residentially-grown food during Canada’s local growing season, too? By harnessing the power of technology and community collaboration, the Leftovers Foundation’s Home Harvest program endeavors to redistribute surplus fresh produce grown in residential settings to folks in need.

The environmental impact of food rotting in landfill is staggering – but can be significantly reduced when a plan is set in motion. Those with abundant gardens can enlist the help of Leftovers volunteers to harvest (read: pick their apple tree!) and deliver the yield to a neighborhood service agency or grassroots organization. In addition to serving as a solution to potential waste, Home Harvest attempts to address some of the barriers to access in attaining fresh, affordable produce.

A helpful framework for understanding food security is provided by Toronto Metropolitan University through their “5 A’s” model. Within the intricate global context of sustenance, these 5 A’s serve as foundational pillars, outlining the comprehensive criteria essential for achieving food security.

Availability 

Central to this intricate framework is the concept of “Availability,” which necessitates a consistent and ample supply of nourishment to meet the needs of all individuals, continuously.

Home Harvest increases the availability of locally-grown produce by bringing excess fruits and vegetables from areas of high availability to service agencies in areas considered food deserts – where we know there is a need. 

Accessibility 

In parallel, the aspect of “Accessibility” emphasizes both the physical proximity and economic feasibility of obtaining food. This dual emphasis ensures an inclusive perspective on food access. Here at Leftovers, we attempt to prioritize the service agencies with the lowest barriers to access. Those with low entry requirements, such as not requiring proof of income, identification, or a provincial health card. Additionally, for difficult-to-process produce, such as crabapples or gooseberries, we pair the donation with a service agency or upcycler we know can make use of the food in order to make it more accessible. An example of this is by turning crab apples into cider or chili peppers into hot sauce. Strategic, creative thinking is at play here to make the best use of the donation. 

Acceptability 

The principle of “Acceptability” underscores the cultural significance of food preferences. It emphasizes the need to uphold the cultural resonance of food choices while respecting human dignity and rights. The concept of “giving with dignity” underlies the daily operations of the Leftovers Foundation.

Adequacy

Expanding this perspective further, we encounter the notion of “Adequacy:” a nuanced layer that highlights the importance of nutritious, safe, and environmentally sustainable food production. This dimension requires a careful balance between nutritional value and ecological mindfulness, aligning our dietary choices with the well-being of the planet. Similar to accessibility, we aim to match donations with service agencies that we are able to serve with dignity. When it comes to Home Harvest, we look to always provide the best quality, locally-sourced produce and compost things that would not be dignified to give out whenever possible. We have worked to develop our volunteer handbook so that our volunteers have a deeper understanding of this importance when picking produce for Home Harvest. 

Agency

Lastly, acting as the orchestrator of this multifaceted ensemble is the concept of “Agency.” This abstract yet potent element represents the policies and processes that work in harmony, facilitating the realization of food security in a coordinated manner. Above all else, we see the personhood and innate value of the folks who eat the food we save.

These Five A’s inform the mindset, framework, and decision-making process of the Leftovers Foundation, and guide our understanding of food security as an ultimate goal. This goal, though,  will never be achieved through rescued food. 

In approaching food rescue through this lens, our program attempts to provide an alternative source of locally-grown produce to agency partners – but also prioritizes inclusivity, cultural respect, and environmental sustainability. This multifaceted approach not only addresses immediate food security needs but also establishes a framework for a more resilient and equitable food system. While we know that Home Harvest is only an interim solution and that systemic change would be far more effective, we continue this work as an act of harm reduction.

Home Harvest stands as a testament to the power of community collaboration, innovative technology, and a thoughtful approach to food distribution. It serves as a model for how localized solutions can have a global impact, paving the way for a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food system for generations to come.

Interested in getting involved? Start here.

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Kin Volunteer

We’re currently recruiting volunteers who want to help serve coffee and be a part of a fun new social initiative.

  • Volunteer shifts are 4 hours long
  • Shifts are either 7am-11am or 11am-3pm
  • 2 people are needed per shift, so sign up with your partner or a friend
  • You can volunteer as little or as much as you’d like
  • Sign-ups will be live on the Leftovers Rescue Food app soon

There will be a mandatory in-person training for all new Kin volunteers. This training will be brief, but will go over setup & tear down, food safety, POS terminal instruction and PWYW info.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please send an email to [email protected] expressing which shift and dates you’re interested in covering.

*Please note that all Kin volunteers need to be vaccinated as per YMCA and AHS Covid Policy.*

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Friday, September 30th

Today we are observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We encourage you to read the 94 Calls to Action and commit to working towards at least one of them.

You can also donate to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society.

COVID-19 Guidelines - Growers

Hello Growers,
THANK YOU for your commitment to reducing food waste and helping those experiencing food insecurity!
Below are some COVID guidelines to keep in mind when requesting a harvest:
  • CANCEL YOUR HARVEST REQUEST if you and/or someone that you have been in contact with is not feeling well, has travelled within 14 days, has been in close contact with a confirmed case of the Coronavirus, or are awaiting test results.
  • If you choose to keep some of the harvested food, please WASH IT BEFORE CONSUMING.
  • Please avoid contact with harvest volunteers. If you do interact with them in person, please ensure you MAINTAIN PHYSICAL DISTANCE AND WEAR A MASK
If you have any questions at all, please email us at [email protected]. Thank you so much for your help and willingness to be there for our community!

COVID-19 Guidelines

Hello Volunteers,
THANK YOU for your commitment to reducing food waste and helping those experiencing food insecurity!
Below are some COVID guidelines to keep in mind while harvesting on behalf of Home Harvest:
  • You must SIGN A WAIVER prior to attending a harvest
  • Volunteers who sign up in the app must keep a record of everyone who attends each harvest with them so that they can be notified if needed for contact-tracing purposes
  • Please WEAR A MASK throughout the harvest and WASH YOUR HANDS/USE HAND SANITIZER before and after the harvest (and during, if necessary). Contact [email protected] if you’d like a reusable mask.
  • PHYSICAL DISTANCING MUST BE PRACTICED AT ALL TIMES. Please ensure you maintain physical distance from individuals not in your cohort, including other harvest volunteers and growers. 
  • DO NOT HARVEST FOOD if you and/or someone that you have been in close contact with is not feeling well, has travelled within 14 days, has been in contact with a confirmed case of the Coronavirus, or are awaiting test results.
  • SANITIZE SURFACES you come in contact with (fences, gates, tools, equipment) before and after the harvest.
  • LEAVE NO TRACE. Please take home any sanitizing equipment, masks and garbage created throughout the pick. 
  • Practice NO CONTACT DROP OFFS at agencies (ensure that the food is in a safe/covered area).
  • Bags or boxes that you are using to contain/transport the harvested food do not need to be sterilized, but please ensure they are clean.
Please Note: Volunteers are not responsible for washing fruit before donation to charities. Charities that accept fruit donations will be responsible for fruit washing before food preparation and/or eating.
If you have any questions at all, please email us at [email protected]. Thank you so much for your help and willingness to be there for our community!
Hello Growers,
THANK YOU for your commitment to reducing food waste and helping those experiencing food insecurity!
Below are some COVID guidelines to keep in mind when requesting a harvest:
  • CANCEL YOUR HARVEST REQUEST if you and/or someone that you have been in contact with is not feeling well, has travelled within 14 days, has been in close contact with a confirmed case of the Coronavirus, or are awaiting test results.
  • If you choose to keep some of the harvested food, please WASH IT BEFORE CONSUMING.
  • Please avoid contact with harvest volunteers. If you do interact with them in person, please ensure you MAINTAIN PHYSICAL DISTANCE AND WEAR A MASK
If you have any questions at all, please email us at [email protected]. Thank you so much for your help and willingness to be there for our community!

COVID-19 Update

Hello Leftovers Partners and Volunteers,

Your commitment to reducing food waste and increasing food access in our community is so incredibly valued – THANK YOU!

Due to COVID-19, many businesses are temporarily shutting their doors and cancelling events. As a result, we have seen a significant change in the frequency and volume of donations. At the same time, access to food has never been more difficult for many members of our community. Whether it’s students who have been isolated from their only meals of the day, seniors who are at-risk every time they leave home, or the many who have recently lost their jobs due to this crisis, we are seeing an unprecedented need for access to food.

  • Please ensure that all donations are covered/wrapped.
  • Please wear a mask and wash your hands/use sanitizer frequently when handling food donations. Do not touch the food itself. Contact [email protected] if you’d like a reuseable mask.
  • Practice no-contact drop offs at agencies (ensure that the food is in a safe/covered area).
  • Do not rescue food if you and/or someone that you have been in contact with is not feeling well, has travelled within 14 days, or been in contact with a confirmed case of the Coronavirus.

We are posting changes/cancellations to food donation routes on the app as they come in. All routes that are posted on the app are as up-to-date as possible. If a donor or agency tells you they’d like to cancel or change hours, please email this feedback to [email protected] (Calgary), [email protected] (Edmonton) or [email protected] (Winnipeg) so we can update the app.

If you have any questions at all, please email us at [email protected]. Thank you so much for your help and willingness to be there for our community!