apple sauce project

Haliburton County agencies and non-profit organizations are celebrating the impactful contributions of community members in making this year’s Apple Sauce Project a resounding success.

The Apple Sauce Project is a community initiative that turns unused apples from local trees into apple sauce, which is then frozen and distributed to seniors and families.

“The 2019 season of the Apple Sauce Project has been a fantastic success,” said Apple Sauce Project Lead Kate Hall of HKPR District Health Unit. “Local residents donated apples from trees on their properties. Their contributions helped get this year’s Apple Sauce Project off to a great start.”

A team of volunteers visited local orchards and properties to pick apples. “Seven volunteers donated their time to harvest apples. We’re really grateful for their hard work,” stated Nancy Brownsberger of Haliburton Highlands Health Services. “In addition, we want to thank the local property owners that permitted us to pick apples from their properties and orchards. It was a bumper year for apples!”

Over two days, the donated and picked apples were then turned into apple sauce. “We had 16 volunteers spend time in the SIRCH Community Kitchen, washing, cutting, cooking, processing, packaging, and freezing apple sauce,” explained Jay McIvor of SIRCH Community Services. “It’s an amazing feeling knowing your efforts make a difference in our community. Thanks to all the volunteers for participating!”

The Minden Community Food Centre also participated in the Apple Sauce Project. “Our volunteers work very well together. Not only have they made containers of apple sauce, but they also made apple crisp, which is also really popular with our food bank’s clients,” stated Marilynne Lesperance, Community Kitchen Manager of the Minden Community Food Centre. “We have a really good system in place!”

In total, 1,694 containers of apple sauce were made. Over the coming months the apple sauce will be distributed by Meals On Wheels, SIRCH Frozen Meals, and local food banks.

“The Apple Sauce project is a great example of community partners successfully working together to ensure everyone in our community has access to fresh, local and nutritious food,” said Kate Hall.

The Apple Sauce Project is facilitated by community partnerships:

• Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit
• SIRCH Community Services
• Haliburton Highlands Health Services – Community Support Services
• Entrée Plus
• Haliburton County FoodNet
• Local food banks

It’s that time of year again when the apples are ripe and falling from the trees—perfect for apple sauce!

The Apple Sauce Project is a community initiative that turns unused apples from local trees into apple sauce, which is then frozen and distributed to seniors and families through Meals on Wheels, SIRCH Frozen Meals, and through local food banks. The project is a great example of ensuring everyone in our community has access to fresh, local and nutritious food.

If you have apple trees, and are not sure what to do with all those apples, consider donating them to the Apple Sauce Project. Donations of your picked apples are greatly appreciated! You can drop off your picked apples to SIRCH Community Kitchen, 2 Victoria Street, Haliburton (next to the laundromat) on Monday, September 16, 2019, or Thursday, September 19, 2019 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

“Since its inception in 2014, the Apple Sauce Project has made over 4,300 cups of apple sauce, which is roughly 8,600 servings,” said Kate Hall, Public Health Food Worker with Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit. “In the winter months, local seniors can receive the nutritious benefits of fruit from apple sauce.”

The Apple Sauce Project also needs volunteers to assist with picking apples, and making apple sauce.

Volunteers will be picking apples from local orchards on Monday, September 16, 2019 and Tuesday, September 17, 2019. To volunteer as an apple picker, contact Nancy Brownsberger at 705-457-2941 ext 2926.

Volunteers will process the apples into apple sauce on Monday, September 23, 2019 and Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at the SIRCH Community Kitchen, 2 Victoria Street, Haliburton (next to the laundromat). To volunteer as an apple sauce maker, contact Jay McIvor at 705-457-1742.

The Apple Sauce Project is facilitated by community partnerships:

• Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit
• SIRCH Community Services
• Haliburton Highlands Health Services – Community Support Services
• Entrée Plus
• Haliburton County FoodNet
• Local food banks