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: